Canada. A First War Pair, To Private Elton Robert Campbell, 18Th Infantry Battalion

British War Medal (3130173 PTE. E.R. CAMPBELL. 18-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (3130173 PTE. E.R. CAMPBELL. 18-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, dark patina on the BWM, light contact, replacement ribbons, better than very fine. Accompanied by his Identification Tag (in bakelite, stamped "CAMPBELL E R / 3130173 / 18 BATT. INF / CANADIANS / P (Presbyterian)", measuring 36 mm in diameter, string fed through the die-hole at the top); and his Canadian Army Pay Book (brown cloth moisture resistant cover, with 24 page insert, multiple handwritten entries, measuring 96 mm (w) x 141 mm (h)).

Footnote: Elton Robert Campbell was born on July 24, 1894 in Acton, Ontario. He was a resident of Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario when he was conscripted, signing his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper as a Private (3130173), Military Service Act (numbered 42057AB), with the 1st Depot Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment, on January 3, 1918 in Galt, at the age of 23, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Robert Campbell of Toronto, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single, that his religion was Presbyterian and that his trade was that of Brass-worker (Brass Finisher). At the time of his enlistment, his mother was deceased. Private Campbell sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the S.S. Grampian on February 7, 1918, arriving in England on the 16th, then transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion at Bramshott on the 17th. Three months after arriving in England, he was transferred to the 18th Infantry Battalion for service in the French theatre, on May 10, 1918, arriving in Etaples, France on the 11th. He arrived at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp on May 22nd, then joined the 18th Infantry Battalion in the field on the 30th. Private Campbell was serving with the 18th Infantry Battalion when he suffered severe gun shot (shrapnel) wounds to his leg (thigh) and face on August 8, 1918. He was admitted to No. 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen on August 9th, where he was stabilized, before being invalided to England aboard the A.T. Essiquido. Upon arrival in England, he was posted to the Western Ontario Regimental Depot at Witley and admitted to Reading War Hospital on August 11th. After twenty-six days at Reading, he was transferred and admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom on September 6th, where he would recuperate from his injuries for the next two months, before being discharged from hospitalization on November 8th. He was placed on command at the Canadian Concentration Camp at Kinmel Park, Rhyl, North Wales, on December 27, 1918, pending return to Canada. He was struck off strength on proceeding to Canada, on January 13, 1919, sailing aboard the Empress of Britain, arriving in Halifax on January 21st. Upon arrival in Canada, he was posted to the Casualty Company at Exhibition Camp, at Military District No. 2 in Toronto, Ontario. Private Elton Robert Campbell, 18th Infantry Battalion was discharged upon demobilization at Military District No. 2 in Toronto, on February 14, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 85777. His pay was assigned during the war to his sister, Mabel Canning of Toronto. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.