In response to our question last week about a metal medallion This is the best answer thus far.
Good afternoon, Mr. McRobb,
As I am something of a Canadian Military History geek - and part-time medal nut - I was asked to look into a request for information, stemming from your blog post dated 30 July 2009 (http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=273460sc=110). Mr. Mahar's commemorative medal is indeed a unique piece.
I've spent the last number of days combing the internet and looking at a number of sites I've used in the past in identifying medals. These include various sites recording all medals and decorations awarded by specific countries, as well as collectors' sites. I've not had any success with any matching or similar Belgian, French, British, or ANZAC commemorative medals or commemorative pieces.
I posted a couple of messages at the Web sites of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group and The Great War Forum - both sites devoted to everything and anything on the First World War - and I'm afraid we're all a stumped as to the origins of this piece. I even contacted someone in the medals field, who has helped me in the past, and he was no further along. In any case, my pal Dave at the CEFSG did have some helpful information. Here is a copy of his reply post:
I have a copy of this commemorative piece too (off of e-Bay, I paid $15.00 for it). It had the remnant of a piece of black, yellow, and red ribbon through the top (the colours of the Belgian flag). The ribbon was about 6 cm long, and has a (more recent) regular safety pin in it.
Apparently they were cast shortly after the Canadians fought in the Second Battle of Ypres (April 22 - 24th, 1915). [...]
I would imagine they were cast and sold as a patriotic souvenir - certainly the position of the soldier in the piece (holding the Red Ensign and his rifle aloft, in the background there are billowing clouds of gas, barbed wire, and an older style gun barrel) is similar to recruiting posters, beckoning others to join the battle.
No idea where it was cast, but I have a similar piece (with a Princess Pat and a Van Doo on it - for a 1917 unity rally) that was cast by Wellings in Toronto, and I wouldn't be surprised it they made this one too.
Dave's post sent me on an other path, which didn't get me much further, I'm afraid. The Wellings Mint he mentioned was bought up some years ago by the Franklin Mint, of Pennsylvania (the one you've undoubtedly seen commercials for on t.v., hawking all sorts of souvenir and collectible pieces). I've sent the Franklin Mint an e-mail, in the hopes they kept the Wellings Mint's archives of strikings (what they call the making of medals).
One poster at The Great War Forum noted he's seen similar types pop up on ebay now and then, yet never accompanied by a detailed description of the pieces' origins. He also said:
I believe it is a commemorative piece that could be worn as a watch fob. That is only my personal guess as to its use. It may have even been sold in Canada at the time as it would be the kind of item that would appeal to relatives of soldiers who fell or served at the 2nd Ypres.
As a bit of background, the Second Battles of Ypres, 22-24 April 1915, the 2nd and 3rd Brigades of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division were in the line, while the 1st Brigade was in reserve (but soon thrown into action). The total weight of gas used by the Germans during these days of battle amount to some 150 000 kilos.
On 22 April, the Germans released chlorine gas towards the Allied lines in the Ypres Salient. The Canadian sector managed to escape the high concentration of gas, while the Algerian Division (on the Canadian left) suffered some serious losses, and created a huge gap in the Canadian left flank, as soldiers died of asphyxiation, or fled in burning pain or from enemy fire as they tried to escape the gas which had entered their trenches.
These three days of fighting saw the Canadians involved in some fierce battles, at huge cost, namely the Battle of Gravenstafel, the Battle of St. Julien, and the fight for Kitchener's Wood (75% Canadian casualties). Of note in the Battle of St. Julien, Lance Corporal Frederick Fisher was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the first day of battle, 22 April, but was killed in action the next day. He was the first Canadian to receive the highest military honour of the British Commonwealth in the First World War.
The Germans again used gas on the 24th, this time directly at the Canadian lines at St. Julien. While the Canadians managed some countermeasure - by urinating on their handkerchiefs, and placing them over theirs mouths and noses - the Germans breached the Canadian lines, aided by a fierce artillery bombardment. A second Victoria Cross was awarded to a Canadian on this day, to Company Sergeant Major Frederick Hall of the 8th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion - from Pine Street in Winnipeg (i.e. Valour Road).
Also of note, Lt.-Col Dr. John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields during the Second Battles of Ypres.
My apologies, but this is all the information I could find on this commemorative or souvenir piece to date. As it is not an official order, medal or decoration, and appears to have been the work of a private enterprise for commercial reasons, it has no official standing. Should additional information come my way, you may be assured I will forward it to you.
Please feel free to pass along this information to Mr. Mahar and to post it your blog, if you wish. I attempted a reply directly to your blog, but the submit button does not work from our computer systems. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Regards,
Christopher Michaud Education Officer, Web Content and Learning Directorate Canada Remembers Division Veterans Affairs Canada Charlottetown PE
So as the Last soldier of the British Army Mr Harry Patch has passed away, our last living link with WW! is now at rest. God Bless.
Hundreds of people gathered in a southwestern English city Thursday to bid a final farewell to Harry Patch, Britain's last infantryman to serve in World War I.
Mourners lined the streets of Wells as a hearse carried the coffin, draped in a Union Jack, from Patch's nursing home to Wells Cathedral. As the hearse passed, townspeople fell in behind, walking in silent tribute.
Patch, who only started talking about his experiences in the war in the final years of his life, died on July 25 at the age of 111.
Gen. Richard Dannatt, the top commander of Britain's army, attended the service while an honour guard was drawn from The Rifles regiment, successor to Patch's unit. Soldiers from France, Germany and Belgium escorted the coffin, in tribute to Patch's respect for all the soldiers in the war.
Today marks the passing of a generation, and of a man who dedicated his final years to spreading the message of peace and reconciliation, British Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said in remarks prepared ahead of the service.
Active participation in the Great War is now no longer part of living memory in this country, but Harry Patch will continue to be a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice shown by him and those he served with.
Roughly 1,400 people attended the service inside the church, while hundreds more stood outside. No weapons, even ceremonial weapons, were permitted inside the cathedral for the service, which his family called a service of peace and reconciliation. 'It wasn't worth it'
First World War veteran Harry Patch poses for a formal portrait in November 2008. (Don McCullin/Reuters)
Patch will be buried where he was born, in the mining village of Combe Down, about 33 kilometres northeast of Wells.
The veteran had been the last surviving soldier from the British Army to have served in the 1914-18 war. Patch was called up for service in the British army in 1917 when he was working as a teenage apprentice plumber.
A few weeks later, in one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War, at Passchendaele near the Belgian town of Ypres, he was badly wounded and three of his best friends were killed by a shell explosion.
In recent years, he and his dwindling band of fellow survivors became poignant symbols of the conflict.
He didn't kill anyone during the war, but said when a German soldier charged him with a bayonet, he shot the man in the leg to avoid killing him.
During an interview about the war in 2007, Patch said he didn't speak about the war for 80 years and avoided war movies.
If any man tells you he went into the front line and wasn't scared, he's a liar. You were scared stiff, he said.
He said he came to believe the casualties weren't justified.
I met someone from the German side and we both shared the same opinion: we fought, we finished and we were friends, he said. It wasn't worth it.
Born on June 17, 1898, in Somerset County, Patch worked as a plumber after the war. He married in 1919 and had two sons. His wife died in 1976 and his sons have also predeceased him. He married again in 1980 and his second wife died in 1984.
Remember and wear Red today in support of all our troops both past and present.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
