Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

British War and Victory Medal pairs (2) (874758 Pte. H. K. Hartley, 8-Can. Inf.; 138559 Pte. J. B. Duffie, 60-Can. Inf.) nearly extremely fine (4) £140-180

Harold Kenneth Hartley was born in Milton, Ontario on 11 September 1891. A Farmer by occupation, he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 7 March 1916, serving with the 184th Battalion. Entering France in December 1916 he was posted to the 8th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Serving with them he died of wounds on 29 April 1917, aged 24 years. He was buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Private Hartley was the son of Alexander John and Anne Isabell Hartley, of St. George, Ontario. With copied service papers.

Joseph Buchanan Duffie was born in Londonderry, Ireland on 21 June 1891. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Toronto on 15 July 1915, serving with the 75th Battalion. Entering France in June 1916 he was taken on to the strength of the 60th Battalion Canadian Infantry. With them he died of wounds on 26 September 1916, aged 25 years. The report on his death states that ‘During military operations at Hill 60 ... on the night of August 14th 1916, he was hit in the leg, behind the knee, by a piece from an enemy Trench Mortar Bomb. His wounds were immediately dressed and he was removed to No. 17 Casualty Clearing Station, where he succumbed to his wounds about six weeks later.’ Private Duffie was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. He was the son of William J. and Sarah Duffie. With copied service papers.