A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

A fine Great War D.C.M. and long service group of ten awarded to Sergeant M. Maloney, Royal Canadian Regiment, late 38th (Ottawa) Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (639721 Pte. M. Maloney, 38/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (639721 Pte. M. Maoney, 38-Can. Inf.); 1939-45 Star; Defence Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Canada (Cpl. M. Maloney, D.C.M., R.C.R.); Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Sgt. M. Maloney); Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Long Service, silver, the reverse officially inscribed, M. Maloney’, the first three heavily polished, thus fine, the remainder very fine or better (10) £1200-1500

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

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D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On 11 August 1918, east of Rosieres, the advance of one of the sections was held up by an enemy machine-gun. This man proceeded alone, outflanked the position, killed one of the crew and captured two of the enemy, together with the machine-gun. His prompt and determined action saved many casualties.’

Michael Maloney was born in Genoa, Italy, in December 1897, the son of Celistine Milone and Mary Celestino, and later assumed the surname of Maloney. As verified by subsequent official correspondence, he denied all knowledge of his parents and a brother who was resident in the U.S.A., so here no doubt an unhappy chapter in his life that led to his arrival in Canada.

Employed as a Farm Labourer at Cardinal, Ontario, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Brockville in February 1916 and was embarked for England in October of the same year. Allocated to the strength of the 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he saw action out in France from June 1917, and was awarded the D.C.M. for the above cited deeds near Rosieres in August 1918 this the same month in which fellow battalion member Private Claude “Red” Nunney won the V.C. in the Drocourt-Queant sector.

Discharged back in Canada in June 1919, Maloney enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons in September of the same year, and remained similarly employed until taking his discharge at Niagara Camp, Ontario, in September 1924, the same month in which he entered the Permanent Force of Canada with an appointment in the Royal Canadian Regiment. And he was similarly employed in the rank of Corporal at the renewal of hostilities in September 1939.

Once more embarked for England - in January 1940 - Maloney served out in France for a few days in June 1940 and was otherwise employed in England until June 1943, when he returned to Canada. He had meanwhile been awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal (Canada Gazette 13 December 1941 refers).

Finally discharged in the rank of Sergeant in September 1947, Maloney was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration ( Canadian A.O. 226 of 16 April 1951 refers), and died at Scarborough, Toronto, in November 1972; sold with multiple copied service papers.