A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

A good Great War Passchendaele M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. Dickson, Canadian Army Service Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (36070 Pte.-A.L. Cpl. J. Dickson, 1/D.S. Coy. Can. A.S.C.); 1914-15 Star (36070 Pte. J. Dickson, Can. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (36070 Sjt. J. Dickson, C.A.S.C.), minor edge bruising, good very fine and better (4) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘On the night of 6 November 1917, whilst in charge of a Motor Ambulance conveying wounded from the Somme Redoubt Advanced Dressing Station, Lance-Corporal Dickson displayed great courage and devotion to duty under heavy shell fire and extremely trying conditions. His car was struck by a bursting shell which besides causing other damage, punctured a tyre. Rather than subject badly wounded men to the severe jolting caused by a flat tyre, he stopped his car and changed tyres, although subjected to very heavy shell fire along the roads. His steadiness under adverse conditions and his consideration for the wounded at all times have served to stimulate the rest of his section to great advantage. This man was continually on duty for ten days.’

John Dickson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 15 January 1889. A Machinist by occupation, he attested for the C.A.S.C., 1st Canadian Contingent, at Valcartier in September 1914, and was assigned to the Divisional Supply Column, Motor Transport Section, as a driver. Embarked for France in February 1915, where he was attached to the 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance as an Ambulance Driver, he was wounded by the effects of gas in August 1917. During the horrendous Battle of Passchendaele, as cited above, Dickson was awarded the M.M. for his heroic efforts in transporting wounded men during the fighting. He was demobilised in May 1919 and died at Calgary in May 1942.

Sold with his original Discharge Certificate; a typed letter of congratulations on the award of the M.M. from Lieutenant-Colonel Donaldson, C.A.M.C. - ‘for your valuable work during the actions for the capture of the Passchendaele Ridge in November last’; and a Buckingham Palace slip wishing a safe return to home life and an early restoration of health; together with copied service papers.