World War Medals

Military Medal, George V WW1 for Vimy Ridge to : 14th Bn (Royal Montreal Regiment) Canadian Infantry, with citation. Named to : 124334 A. VF condition with one small edge knock. 9th July, 1917 : “For Gallantry and devotion to duty near THELUS on April 9th, 1917, in assuming command of his Platoon after his seniors had become casualties, His conduct throughout was a spendid example to all ranks”. Award was authorized by General Currie on 16/5/17. Robert Lewis was born in Calgary, Alberta on 26/8/1886, he was a Cook by occupation. He attested at Windsor, Ontario on 3/11/15 giving his address as Indiana, USA. He joined the 70th Battalion but was transferred to the 142nd Battalion in England. Appointed Acting Sergeant the next day, he soon reverted to the ranks to proceed overseas with the 14th Battalion. He was awarded the Military Medal for the historic attack on Vimy Ridge and later was gassed on 7th November 1917 and evacuated to England. He did not return to France but was promoted to Sergeant. He married Edna Beatrice at some point during the war but on discharge still gave his sister as next of kin and his forwarding address as 11th Machine Gun Bn. Camp Lewis, Washington, USA. Therefore appears to of re-enlisted in the US Army right away. He also received the War Service Badge, Class “A”. With copy of service file. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle, which took place from 9 to 12 April 1917, was part of the opening phase of the Battle of Arras, the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive, intended to attract German reserves from the French front. The objective of the Canadian Corps was to take control of the German-held high ground along an escarpment at the northernmost end of the Arras Offensive. This would ensure that the southern flank could advance without suffering German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The village of Thélus fell during the second day of the attack, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overcame a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadian Corps on 12 April. The German forces then retreated to the OppyMéricourt line. The item “Military Medal, George V WW1 for Vimy Ridge to 14th Battalion Montreal Regiment” is in sale since Monday, February 5, 2018. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW I (1914-18)\Original Period Items\Canada”. The seller is “arcticmedals” and is located in Calgary, Alberta. This item can be shipped worldwide.