Canada. A British War Medal, 73Rd Infantry Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Brigade

(690991 CPL. N.E. BURMISTER. C.M.G. BDE.). Naming is officially impressed. Contact marks, edge nicks, replacement ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: Norman Echartt Burmister was born on September 22, 1897 in Collingwood, Ontario, the son of William Burmister and Margaret Burmister. He was a resident of Collingwood when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (690991) with the 173rd Infantry Battalion "Canadian Highlanders", on June 27, 1916 at Niagara Camp, at the age of 18, naming his next-of-kin as his father, William, stating that he was not in an active militia but had previously served for one year in the 35th Regiment, that he was not married, that his religion was Presbyterian and that his trade was that of Sailor. He was insured with an Ocean Accident Policy. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Hamilton, Ontario, under the authority of G.O.69, July 15, 1916. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the S.S. Olympic, on November 13, 1916, under the authority of Lieutenant-Colonel W.H. Bruce with a strength of 32 officers and 930 other ranks, arriving in England on the 21st. In England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 2nd Reserve Battalion. Private Burmister was transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Depot on February 10, 1917 at Bramshott, followed ten weeks later by a transfer to the Machine Gun Pool at Crowborough on April 18, 1917, for service in the French theatre. In France, he was posted to the 13th Brigade, Machine Gun Company in the field on April 28th. Private Burmister was admitted to No. 71 North Midland Field Ambulance on October 19, 1917, diagnosed with "I.C.T. Feet" (inflammation of the connecting tissue) and after four days, was discharged to duty on the 23rd. One month later, his troubles with his feet would continue, as he was admitted to 2/1 North Midland Field Ambulance on November 19, 1917. The following day, he was transferred and admitted to the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance on the 16th, with "septic sores on his feet" and was treated accordingly. After a weeks' hospitalization, he was discharged to duty on the 22nd.

In the new year, Private Burmister was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps on March 1, 1918. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on May 1, 1918 but reverted to the ranks at his own request on June 21st. He was promoted to Corporal for a second time, on October 1, 1918. Corporal Norman Echartt Burmister, 73rd Infantry Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Brigade was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Station "C", Military District No. 7 in Saint John, New Brunswick, on April 22, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 264630. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.