Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Somme operations M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant J. S. Park, 31st (Alberta) Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (79186 Pte. J. S. Park, 31/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. S. Park), very fine and better (4) £800-1000

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

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M.C. London Gazette 14 November 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. After all the officers of his company had become casualties, he took command of the Company and consolidated the captured ground, showing great courage and executive ability.’

John Smith Park was born in Collinton, Midlothian, Scotland, on 22 March 1881. A Clerk by occupation, and having been a member of the Royal Scots and Natal Rangers, he attested for the 31st (Alberta) Battalion at Edmonton in November 1914. Embarked for England aboard the S.S. Northland in May 1915, he proceeded to France in March 1916, where he received rapid promotion, attaining the rank of Company Sergeant-Major that August. And it was in the same capacity that he won his M.C. at the battle of Flers-Courcelette in the following month. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant with the 21st Reserve Battalion in March 1917; sold with copied service papers.