Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Sergeant R. J. Edmonds, 21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, later Lieutenant, 43rd Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa

Military Medal, G.V.R. (59293 Sjt: R. J. Edmunds. 21/Can: Inf: Bn.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. R. J. Edmunds.) together with erased 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal, good very fine (4) £240-£280

M.M. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

The recommendation states: ‘For exceptional presence of mind in extreme danger on the night of 30th October 1915, when using a “West” spring gun. The machine failed to throw the grenade which fell in the trench in which were several men. Sergeant Edmunds at once seized the grenade and threw it forward. It exploded without harming anyone as a result of his principal action.’

Robert James Emunds was enlisted into the 21st Battalion C.E.F. on 23 October 1914, and disembarked at Boulogne on 14 September 1915; to Trench Warfare School, 6 November 1915; wounded 17 April 1916, to U.K. per Hospital Ship Cambria; Temporary Lieutenant, Canadian Militia, 27 March 1916; leave to Canada, July to September 1916; attached 39 Reserve Bn., 30 September 1916; attached 6 Reserve Bn., 4 January 1917; Adjutant, Easter Ontario Regiment Depot, 16 March 1917; returned to Canada, 18 October 1917; Lieutenant, 43rd Ottawa Highlanders, 1 May 1920; Reserve of Officers, Ottawa Highlanders, 1 February 1927; still alive in March 1980. Sold with research notes.