Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private E. C. Caldwell, 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion, for his gallantry at Courcelette on 28 September 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (69199 Pte. E. C. Caldwell. 26/Can: Inf: Bn:) contact marks, nearly very fine £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 21 December 1916.

The original Recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations around Courcelette, 28th September to 2nd October 1916. Especially on the 28th during the attack, the leading company was held up. He took up a position with his Lewis gun, from which he could bring fore to bear on the enemy’s trenches, and effectively closed the enemy’s fire for about half an hour during which time our men were able to dig in, whilst under fire all the time. Later he moved forward in order to cover the retirement of some of our men along the East Miraumont Road. During the night attack on 28 September he did good work.’

Edgar Charles Caldwell was born in New Carlisle, Quebec, on 24 January 1894, and attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at St. John, New Brunswick, on 22 February 1915. He served with the 26th Battalion, Canadian Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front, and was awarded his M.M. for gallantry at Courcelette on 28 September 1916.