Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. and ‘Passchendaele’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant J. MacKay, 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (229409 A. Cpl. J. Mackay. 44/Can: Inf:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (229409 L. Cpl.-A. Cpl.-J. Mackay. 44/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (229409 A. Sjt. J. Mackay. 44-Can. Inf.) mounted on card for display, good very fine (4) £2,000-£2,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation published 17 April 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of the brigade bombing section during lengthy operations. He carried out his duties with the greatest courage and energy, continuously exposed to heavy fire, and set a fine example of devotion to duty.’
Annotated Gazette states: ‘Hill 145 - Triangle - La Coulotte. Lens 1917.’

M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. The recommendation states:

‘In front of PASSCHENDAELE 21st to 28th October 1917. This N.C.O. was in charge of the Brigade Bombing Section. The difficulty in supplying ammunition, bombs etc, to the units forward was very great. He located forward dumps and personally supervised under the heaviest shell fire, the stocking of same... He kept continuously in touch with Battalions in regard to their needs, and, in this connection, made frequent trips forward. His example of courage and devotion was of the highest possible order and a great inspiration to his Section, and his efforts in supplying Units with their requirements was untiring. He succeeded in getting through [supplies] of S.A.A. and bombs at times when they were most critically required.
His service has since been at all times of the highest order.’ (A.F.W. 3121. 5-11-17)

James MacKay was born on 9 July 1865, at Latheron, Caithness, Scotland. At the time of volunteering for the C.E.F. in July 1915 he was living with his wife at Vale Avenue, Winnipeg, a manager by profession. He officially enlisted into the 61st Battalion at Winnipeg on 8 September 1915, was taken on strength of the 44th Battalion on 12 May 1916, and embarked for France on 16 August following. He was reported wounded (shell shock) on 25 October 1916, but returned to duty 11 days later. Awarded the D.C.M. and M.M. in 1918 for gallant services as Brigade Bombing N.C.O. attached to H.Q. 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, he was discharged at Winnipeg on 13 May 1919, and awarded War Service Badge No. 185186.

Sold with copied research including discharge papers and the following related items:
i. War Service Badge numbered as above
ii. Trench wrist watch, the backplate inscribed ‘Presented to Pte. James MacKay, on his leaving for active service by the employees of D. McCall Co. Ltd., Winnipeg September 8th 1915’ (relic)
iii. Pocket Edition Gillette Safety Razor, in metal travelling case, the lid inscribed ‘Pte. James MacKay, Winnipeg Sept. 9th 1915’
iv. Songs of a Sourdough, by Robert W. Service, Toronto 1913, green leather covers, contents quite distressed and many pages loose.