Canada, CEF. A First War Group to Pte. Rice, Royal Newfoundland Regiment

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed 3180 PTE. L. RICE. R. NEWF’D R., ribbon of the Victory medal has been sewn closed, dark patina, minor wear, extremely fine. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, full size,  rim impressed 3180 PTE. L. RICE. R. NEWF’D R., worn on a British War Medal ribbon, loss of nearly all gilt, dark patina, near very fine. 

A Newfoundland Cap badge, in pickled brass, two intact lugs on the reverse, measures 34.0 mm (w) x 28.9 mm (h), wear evident to obverse, lugs slightly bent. 

Accompanied by paper photocopies of Rice’s records. 

Footnote: Lesley Rice was a fisherman, who enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment in October 1916, at the age of 23. He sailed from Halifax via the SS Grampian in April 1917. 

He suffered from scabies at the 39th General Hospital in early December 1917. Rice was admitted to the 3rd Canada General Hospital in Boulogne, France on October 8th, 1918 for boils on his right thigh and left buttocks. He was discharged to no. 5 Rest Camp St. Martins Boulogne on November 12th. On November 28, 1918, he reported to the 2nd battalion from Base Depot, Rouen. 

On December 28th, 1918, Rice was granted permission to be married. Rice was discharged in April 1919, due to demobilization.