Two Canadian First War War Medals
Two Canadian First War War Medals - Private Robert McDevitt, Canadian Labour Battalion (145832 PTE. R. MC DEVITT. CAN LABR. BN.); and Acting Corporal Albert J. Morphew, Canadian Field Artillery (158143 A. CPL. A.J. MORPHEW. C.F.A.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, contact marks, cleaned, better than very fine. Footnote: Robert McDevitt was born on September 20, 1898. He was a resident of Renfrew, Ontario when he signed his Attestation Paper with the 77th Infantry Battalion "Ottawa Battalion" (145832), on April 4, 1916, at the alleged age of 17 with the alleged birth date of September 20, 1899, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Aggie McDevitt of Renfrew, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single and that his trade was that of Chauffeur. It was later disclosed on September 3, 1917, that the day of his birth was correct but that his birth certificate stated the year of his birth was actually 1898, which would have made him 17 when he enlisted. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Ottawa, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 103A, August 15, 1915. The Battalion left Canada June 19, 1916 with a strength of 38 officers and 1,007 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.R. Street. In England, the Battalion was broken up to provide replacements for the 46th and 73rd Infantry Battalions, with McDevitt being transferred later to the Canadian Labour Battalion. Albert Joseph Morphew was born on October 2, 1890 in Semer, Suffolk, England. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 81st Infantry Battalion (158143), on September 8, 1915, in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 24, naming his next-of-kin as his father, John McDevitt of Nedging, Suffolk, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Toronto, under the authority of G.O. 103A, August 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed April 28, 1916 with a strength of 36 officers and 1,067 other ranks, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel B.H. Belson. In England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 35th Reserve Battalion, with Morphew being transferred later to the Canadian Field Artillery. Both soldiers survived the war.