Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family pair:

A Canadian Memorial Cross awarded in remembrance of Corporal H. J. Atkinson, 8th (90th Regiment) Battalion - “The Little Black Devils”, who was killed in action at the battle of Passchendaele on 10 November 1917

Canadian Memorial Cross , G.V.R., the reverse officially inscribed, ‘865619 Pte. H. J. Atkinson’, nearly extremely fine

A Canadian Memorial Cross awarded in remembrance of his son, Acting Lance-Corporal M. M. Atkinson, 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, who died in January 1946

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially inscribed, ‘150285 L.-Cpl. M. M. Atkinson’, nearly extremely fine, the pair suspended from a silver brooch bar upon which rests a beaver £180-220

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

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Herbert John Atkinson was born in Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, on 18 February 1879. A Fireman by occupation, he enlisted into the 181st Battalion at Brandon, Manitoba, in May 1916, having previously served for 16 months in the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and 2 years in the South African Constabulary. Allocated to the 8th Battalion - “The Little Black Devils”, he was killed in action on 10 November 1917 during the battle of Passchendaele. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was the husband of Mabel Atkinson, of 943 Louise Avenue East, Brandon; sold with copied service papers.

Merton Middleton Atkinson, his son, was born in Viola Dale, Manitoba on 6 August 1898. A Student by occupation, he enlisted into the 79th Battalion at Brandon in October 1915, and witnessed active service out in France with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. Discharged in April 1919, he died in January 1946; sold with copied service papers.