A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

Three: Major H. C. Becher, 1st (Ontario Regiment) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, late Canadian Militia, who was killed in action in June 1915 - on the same occasion a fellow officer won the V.C.

1914-15 Star (Major H. C. Becher, 1/Can. Inf); British War and Victory Medals (Major H. C. Becher), together with ‘1 canada’ brass badge, metalled Major’s uniform crown, and gilt and enamel badges of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (3), two of them with enamelled clasps for ‘1914’, one of these with reverse inscription and named to ‘Mrs. K. Becher’, generally good very fine or better (8) £400-500

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

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Henry Campbell Becher was born in London, Ontario, on 20 January 1874. A Stockbroker by profession, he was also a long-served officer in the Militia, having been appointed a Major in the 7th Regiment of Fusiliers in December 1912.

Enlisting in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Valcartier in September 1914, and embarked for England, he went out to France with the 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, and was killed in action at Givenchy on 15 June 1915 - the same occasion on which Lieutenant Frederick Campbell - who would have been well known to Becher - won a posthumous V.C.

Becher was buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension; sold with extensive copied records.

Now sold with a related International Order of Allied Mothers in Sacrifice Medal, in bronze, inscribed to 'Catherine Becher', suspension detached but an unusual award.