Canada, CEF. A First and Second War Group to Sergeant O’Connell, PPCLI, Wounded at Ypres, 1915

A swing mounted medal bar, horizontal pin on reverse, measuring 165 mm (w), consisting of five decorations with original ribbons:

A 1914-15 Star, in bronze, full size, reverse impressed 875 PTE. H.F. O’CONNELL, P.P.C.L.I., minor wear, extremely fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed 875 SJT. H. F. O’CONNELL. P.P.C.L.I., contact marks on edges, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 875 SJT. H. F. O’CONNELL. P.P.C.L.I., light wear, extremely fine. 

A Second War Defence Medal, in silver, full size, rim unofficially engraved LIEUT. H. F. O’CONNELL. 3 FLINTS H.G. light wear and minor contact marks, remains in extremely fine condition. 

A 1911 Coronation Medal, in silver, full size, rim unofficially engraved 4767 CORPL H.F. O’CONNELL. R.N.W.M.F., light wear, near extremely fine. 

The lot also includes: 

A 1939-45 Star, in bronze gilt, full size, original ribbon, two marks of oxidation, near very fine, wax paper packaging. 

A 1939-45 War Medal, in silver, full size, with original ribbon, extremely fine, with wax paper packaging, and cardboard box named to Mr. P O’Connell. 

A Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Cap Badge, browning copper, voided, measures 29.5mm (w) x 43.9 mm (h), two lugs on reverse, 

A 1950 Belgium De Lakenhalle Ypre Table Medal, in bronze, marked ‘FONSON’ on rim, measures 52mm, extremely fine. Contained in its original round cardboard box, hand dated 1 OCT 1957, wear to edges, remains near very fine. 

A Vimy Pilgrimage Medal, silvered bronze, original ribbon with CANADIAN LEGION 1936 clasp with horizontal pin on reverse, very fine. 

An assortment of embroidered patches and insignia: a second war general service cap badge; V.A. Canada badge; HG garter badge; four officers pips presenting the Order of the Bath insignia; a photograph postcard handwritten ‘Funeral of Colonel Yates died of wounds Ramsgate”; a Second War Pocket Jack Knight in steel and bakelite (heavily rusted); a metal tin with XMAS 1914 card adhered to the top (heavily rusted); two military miniatures, one with original packaging; a metal tin embossed CHRISTMAS 1914 (rusting and gilt wear); all ranging from better than fine to better than very fine. 

Footnote: Herbert Francis O’Connell was born in Berwick on Tweed, England in 1886. He emigrated to Canada in September 1908, via the Hesperian. Prior to joining the war effort, he had served 4 years with the Northumberland Fusiliers, and 164 days with the 7th Royal North West Mounted Police (regimental number 4767). He enlisted on the 5th of November, 1914 at Bustard and served with the 11th Battalion (Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry). 

His unit sailed in October 1914 for England, and arrived in France on December 20th. In February 1915, he was promoted to corporal, and by April 1915, he was a sergeant. 

In mid May, 1915, O’Connell suffered a severe gunshot wound to the left arm, and ultimately underwent an amputation, being treated in multiple hospitals. The Medical Case Sheet reports “On May 8/15 at La Hooge, while in the trenches was struck in L. Arm by a piece of shrap. Was taken in several hospitals for dressing and piece of shrap. was extracted, but he does not remember the names, being only partially conscious. Cheveley Hospital near Newmarket, where L. Arm was amputated. Cambridge Hospital and S’Cliffe. Gen. condition fair. Wt. but little below normal. Is still nervous. The L. Arm has been amputated 6” from shoulder joint. Stump freely movable.” 

Due to the amputation, he was deemed medically unfit and discharged from duty. He sailed for Canada, arriving in Quebec in October 1915. There, he applied for a warrant to return to England. He then applied for an artificial hand and was sent to GCSH Ramsgate in April 1916. 

In mid-May 1915, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) was stationed at La HooGe, near Ypres, Belgium, during a period of intense trench warfare. The battalion was tasked with holding the front-line trenches in a heavily contested area known for relentless artillery bombardments and sniper fire. Although not engaged in a major offensive at that moment, the PPCLI faced constant shelling, sporadic enemy raids, and difficult trench conditions. The men endured heavy casualties and lived under harsh circumstances, but their resolve and discipline held firm.

During the second war, O’Connell served with the 3rd Flintshire Battalion, Home Guard. This home guard was a volunteer defense force made up of men ineligible for regular military service, often due to age or reserved occupations, tasked with defending the British homeland from invasion.

O’Connell died on June 2, 1970, as noted in the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police Obituary Index.