Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War D.S.O., M.C. and Bar group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Arnold Mahaffy, Canadian Infantry, awarded the D.S.O. for ‘Vimy Ridge’

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar; Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., 5/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (A. Major); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, no clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, these unnamed; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Canada, reverse inscribed, ‘Lt-Col. K. A. Mahaffy, D.S.O., M.C.’, mounted for display; together with Royal Life Saving Society Award of Merit Medal, silver (K. A. Mahaffy 1913); Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medal (K. A. Mahaffy, Mar. 1912; another medal, bearing the initials ‘IR’, gilt, unnamed, very fine and better (11) £3500-4000

D.S.O. London Gazette 26 July 1917. ‘Capt. (Acting Major) Canadian Infantry’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After capturing his own objective, he took command of the second wave, which was without leaders, and lead them to their objective, forming a defensive line 150 yards in front of it. Throughout his coolness and bravery were a striking example to all.’

M.C. London Gazette 25 November 1916. ‘Capt., Canadian Inf.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men, under intense fire, with great courage and determination. He set a splendid example throughout the operations.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 4 October 1919. ‘Capt. (A./Maj.), D.S.O., M.C., 5th Inf. Bn., Sask. R.’ ‘The courage and devotion to duty when leading his company to the attack on Haynecourt on the 27th September, 1918, under heavy machine-gun fire, gained admiration and praise from all under him. He was wounded early in the attack, but refused to leave hs company until he had seen them consolidated in the final objective.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 December 1917.

Kenneth Arnold Mahaffy was born in Bracebridge, Ontario on 11 June 1892. A Law Student by occupation and a Lieutenant in the 23rd Regiment, he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Valcartier, Ontario on 23 September 1914. Proceeding to France in June 1915, he served with the 5th Battalion Canadian Infantry. Promoted to Captain in February 1916. Wounded on 14 October 1916, he was soon after awarded the Military Cross for his bravery and leadership under fire. As an Acting Major, for his gallantry and leadership at Vimy Ridge, April 1917, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Later, on detachment to the Saskatchewan Regiment, he was again wounded in leading an attack on Haynecourt on 29 September 1918 - suffering a bullet wound to his left knee. For his bravery and leadership in action, he was awarded the Bar to his Military Cross. Invalided to England, he relinquished his acting rank in October 1918. Captain Mahaffy was demobilised in Ottawa on 15 December 1919.

Appointed a Major in the Reserve of Officers in February 1927 and Lieutenant-Colonel in the N. Pioneers in June 1936. Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel with the Algonquin Regiment in December 1936 and served as such until October 1944 when he returned to his ‘Reserve’ status. Awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1945.

With copied service papers, gazette extracts and other research.