A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Bombardier P. L. Manchester, Canadian Field Artillery, who, prior to being severely wounded by shrapnel, was decorated for his gallantry on the Somme in November 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (89161 Gnr. P. L. Manchester, 6/Bde. Can. F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (89161 Bmbr. P. L. Manchester, C.F.A.), nearly extremely fine (3) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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M.M. London Gazette 22 January 1917:

‘For great gallantry and devotion to duty near Courcelette on 17-18 November 1916, at the capture of Desire Trench. He was on duty continuously for 36 hours, remaining under a heavy enemy barrage and repairing break after break in the telephone lines. During this period the Battalion H.Q was twice changed and the lines cut 28 times.’

Percy Lorne Manchester, who was born in Carleton, Huntley, Ontario, in October 1890, was an ex-member of the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles who enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier in June 1915.

Embarked for France in January 1916 with 6th Howitzer Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, he was hospitalised with an infection shortly thereafter, but returned to his unit in mid-March and was awarded his M.M. for the above cited deeds on the Somme that November.

Having then been advanced to Bombardier in 10th Battery, C.F.A., in April 1917, he was treated for concussion and deafness before being severely wounded by shrapnel in the back in the following month and evacuated to the U.K. via Etaples.

Nonetheless, he returned to active duty as a member of 4th Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column in April 1918, and was finally discharged in May 1919. Manchester died in August 1924; sold with copied service record.