Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Corporal C. L. Cawston, 52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action in August 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (234115 L. Cpl. C. L. Cawston, 52/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (234115 Cpl. C. L. Cawston, 52-Can. Inf.), together with the recipient’s Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R., the reverse officially inscribed, ‘234115 Cpl. C. L. Cawston, D.C.M.’, this last fine, the remainder with minor contact marks, good very fine (4) £800-1000

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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D.C.M. London Gazette 26 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy raid. A party of the enemy succeeded in entering the front line and began to bomb along it. Though his Lewis gun had been put out of action, he held up the enemy with rifle fire, and though heavily outnumbered, drove them back in disorder, killing their leader and capturing two prisoners. He showed splendid initiative and determination.’

Charles Lloyd Cawston, who was born in Perth County, Ontario, in April 1891, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Winnipeg in March 1916.

Embarked for France in February 1917, where he joined the 52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he was advanced to Corporal in May 1918, and was awarded the D.C.M. for the above cited exploits shortly before his death in action on 14 August 1918.

Cawston is buried in the Roye New British Cemetery on the Somme; sold with copied service record and Will, the latter dated 12 December 1916.