Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Sapper R. S. MacDonald, Canadian Engineers, late 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, who was twice wounded in action

Military Medal, G.V.R. (110338 Sapr. R. S. MacDonald, 3/D. Sig. Co., Can. Eng.); 1914-15 Star (110338 Pte. R. S. MacDonald, 5/Can. Mtd. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (110338 Pte. R. S. MacDonald, 5-C.M.R.), minor contact marks, very fine (4) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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M.M. London Gazette 22 July 1916:

‘For conspicuous energy, bravery and resource on 2-3 June 1916, whilst carrying out his duties as linesman repairing and laying telephone lines between Zillibeke Bund and the front line, during intense enemy bombardment. This after nine weeks of excellent work as linesman between Ypres Ramparts and the front line, supervising working parties burying cables in Sanctuary Wood.’

Robert Stanley MacDonald, who was born in Montreal in December 1896, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in February 1915.

Embarked for France in October 1915, he originally served in the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, but early in the following year he transferred as a Sapper to the 3rd Divisional Signal Company, Canadian Engineers, and it was in this latter capacity that he won his M.M. for the above cited deeds in June 1916, and earlier deeds at Sanctuary Wood on the Somme, the whole on the recommendation of General Byng.

Remaining actively engaged in France until the War’s end, he was twice wounded, firstly in April 1917, when admitted to hospital with shell shock and a severely bruised left thigh, and again in October 1917, when severely wounded in the right leg. MacDonald was discharged back in Montreal in April 1919; sold with copied service record.