Canada, CEF. A First War Group to A/Cpl. Bryce, 19th Infantry, Wounded at the Battle of Somme

A 1914-15 Star, bronze, full size, reverse impressed 55776 PTE. W.A. BRYCE. 19/CAN.INF:, replacement ribbon, light wear to obverse, loss of finish, near very fine

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 55776 PTE. W.A. BRYCE. 19th CAN. INF. BN., replacement ribbon, very dark patina, light contact, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed  55776 PTE. W.A. BRYCE. 19th CAN. INF. BN., replacement ribbon, loss of gilt to edges, very fine. 

A 19th Infantry Battalion Cap Badge, Type I, in bronze, two lugs on reverse, measures 38.6mm (w) x 39.4mm (h), dark patina, extremely fine. 

Footnote: William Archibald Bryce was born in Toronto, Canada in July of 1892. Prior to enlisting in the war in November 1914, he was employed as a shipper. He was promoted to lieutenat corporal in April 1915, and arrived in England via the SS Scandinavian in May 1915. He was briefly reverted in rank in July 1915, and was charged 7 days pay for being awol in September of the same year. Bryce embarked for France in September 1915, and was once again promoted lieutenant corporal in February 1916.

He was discharged as medically unfit in March 1919 for a fracture of the right index finger, following a gunshot wound to his hand in 1916. The medical report states: “At the Somme, Sept 15th during an attack hit by shrapnel entering index finger at 2nd knuckle passed through finger breaking the bone. Through the Dr. S. to 3rd bone.” As of October 5, the wound had not healed and the fracture was not united.