A Memorial Cross To The 27Th Battery Canadian Field Artillery

A Memorial Cross to the 27th Battery Canadian Field Artillery - War Medal 1939-1945; and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (missing its Overseas Clasp). Un-named, mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, very dark patinas. Memorial Cross, ERII (E.21923 SGT. J.A. VEZINA), officially engraved, mounted to a suspension bar with pinback, in its case of issue. Extremely fine. Accompanied by a Canadian Field Artillery Cap Badge (bronze, maker marked "TIPTAFT B'HAM" on the slider, 49 mm x 65.5 mm), along with his First World War CEF Attestation Paper, Service Records and Discharge Certificate, his Second World War CASF Attestation Paper, Service Records, Discharge Certificates (English and French) and Particulars of Family of an Officer or Soldier of the Canadian Field Force Statement, and two Statements of Service in the Canadian Armed Forces (one for each conflict).  Footnote: James Anthime Vezina was born in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Quebec on April 14, 1896. He signed his CEF Attestation Paper with the 27th Battery Canadian Field Artillery as a Gunner (89959), on March 19, 1915 in Montreal, Quebec, at the age of 19, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Leda Vezina of Montreal, stating that had he no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Elevator Man. Upon arrival in England, he was taken on strength with the 3rd Reserve Battery, July 10, 1915, then transferred to the 8th Howitzer Brigade three months later, now known as the 23rd Battery. He embarked for the French theatre on January 18, 1916 and was attached to the French Mortar Battery on the 29th. After three months, he was posted to the 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column on May 5th. In late May, Vezina suffered gun shot wounds to his back and right shoulder and was admitted to No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau, France on May 22nd. After initial treatment, he was invalided to England and transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone on May 29th, the admitted to 3rd Northern General Hospital at Sheffield. After two months treatment at Sheffield, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital Hill House at Bromley on July 23rd for re-assessment, then discharged on the 28th. After a brief recovery period, he was struck off strength to the 82nd Howitzer Brigade at Shorncliffe on October 9, 1916, then transferred four months later to the 15th Brigade on February 17, 1917. He was declared eligible to wear one Good Conduct Stripe on March 19, 1917. Ten months after his release from hospital, he was hospitalized again, admitted to Bramshott Military Hospital on June 3, 1917 and discharged on the 12th, although his records do not indicate as to why. Having recovered from his medical issues, he resumed his military service and proceeded overseas to France on August 8, 1917, where he was posted to the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column in the field onAugust 22nd. He was transferred to the 5th Canadian Divisional Trench Mortar Battery on October 2, 1917, where he served for two months, before being transferred to the 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, 5th Canadian Division on December 5th. It was noted on January 16, 1919, that he forfeited twenty-one days pay due to drunkenness. He departed for England on May 14th and then returned to Canada on June 13th. Vezina was discharged from active service upon demobilization on June 23, 1919, at Dispersal Station "F", Military District No. 4, in Montreal, credited with having served in Canada, Great Britain and France, the latter two as a Gunner with the 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, which have been lost to time. Vezina was a resident of Baie-Comeau, Quebec when he re-enlisted for Second World War service on June 17, 1940, signing his Attestation Paper in Quebec City, Quebec, with the 94th Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (E-21923), Canadian Active Service Force, listing himself as still single, his mother Leda as his next of kin, his father deceased and stating his trade as that of Paper Maker. It is worthy to note two conflicting items versus his CEF Attestation Paper: his date of birth is now April 14, 1898, not 1896 as per the CEF Attestation Paper stated birth, which means he was likely under-aged when he signed on for First World War service. Secondly, his birthplace is now Winnipeg, Manitoba, not Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Quebec. He does state that he had previous military experience with the 27th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery and served in England and France with the 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He embarked Halifax, Nova Scotia on October, 5, 1941, arriving shortly afterwards in Liverpool, England, where he joined the 3rd Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment. He saw three rank advancements in 1942: to Acting Lance Sergeant (August 1, 1942), to Lance Sergeant (November 1, 1942) and to Acting Sergeant (November 25, 1942), followed by his confirmation in the rank of Sergeant on February 25, 1943. He was posted to No. 2 Canadian Army Reinforcement Unit on April 19, 1943, then posted to No. 3 AITK Regiment on June 3rd. Vezina was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital on November 22, 1943, then discharged on December 3rd, although his records do not indicated as to why he was hospitalized. He was posted to No. 1 Non-Effective Transit Depot on December 27th for return to Canada in late February 1944. Upon his return to Canada, he was admitted to the Quebec Military Hospital on March 3, 1944, then transferred to Sav. Park Hospital for further evaluation. Sergeant Vezina was Honourably Discharged from active service on March 22, 1944, at the age of 45, at District Depot, Military District No. 5 in Quebec City, credited with having served in Canada and England, but did not enter the European theatre, earning him the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945, but only the latter two medals appear mounted here. He was documented as "no longer physically able to perform his duties" but what contributed to this is unclear. Whether he was wounded or suffered from a disease related issue during his Second World War service or whether the First World War wounds were a contributing factor is a mystery. What is known is that he died on June 1, 1955 at the age of 57 or 59, depending upon the applicable birthdate, his mother, Leda, receiving his ERII Memorial Cross.