A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

An interesting Canadian Memorial Cross awarded in remembrance of Private Romolo del Monaco, alias Ronald Bowdon, 43rd (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) Battalion, and the son of the Count and Countess del Monaco, who was killed in action at the battle of Regina Trench on 8 October 1916

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R., the reverse officially inscribed, ‘151547 Pte. R. Bowdon’, very fine £150-200

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

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Romolo del Monaco was the son of Count Ireneo Paolo del Monaco and Countess Alice Elizabeth del Monaco, nee Bowdon. Under the alias of ‘Ronald Bowdon’, and giving his place and date of birth as Sheffield, 25 October 1893, and trade as Labourer, he enlisted into the 79th (Manitoba) Battalion at Brandon in November 1915. Subsequently transferred to the 43rd Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada), he was killed in action on 8 October 1916 during the battles of Regina Trench and Ancre Heights. He was buried in the London Cemetery, Longueval.

An interesting account of the recipient appeared under the title of From Riches to Rags, by Bob Clarke, in the Military Collectors’ Club of Canada Journal, Spring, 2010; sold with a copy of this, together with copied service papers.