Vimy Militaria - What's New

Vimy Militaria
P.O. Box 17018
Portobello RO
1937 Portobello Rd
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K4A 4W8

What's New!

After a long break from business, I am pleased to be finally updating the site. In the interest of saving time, I have taken an atypical approach to the current update, and have not illustrated each item with photographs. This said, please note that I can photograph any item and send you some pictures should you wish, so please do not hesitate to ask. This listing includes a quantity of interesting First World War singles and pairs, a scarce Canadian Second World War Military Medal to a Gunner, and a variety of Canadian Korean War groupings, as well as a few Victorian singles, including a Queen's South Africa Medal to a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment in its box of issue. I look forward to hearing from old and new clients in the coming weeks.

Best wishes,

Jim

P.S. Follow this link to the Ribbon Trading page; it includes a list of the types of ribbon I have available for exchange, and the types of ribbon I need; if you want to swap, simply drop me a line and we'll work something out!

New Arrivals

Six. 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star (copy), Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal, Memorial Cross (GVI). Memorial Cross named to F.S. AIR GUNNER W.B. NESS R138123. William Bonar Ness was killed in action on 18 August 1943 while serving with 61 Sqn RAF, and is buried in POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY, Poland. He was a member of the crew of Lancaster I W4934, all of whom died on this mission, an attack on the Peenemunde Air Research and Development Station where the German VI and V2 rockets were being developed. Copy of service record is included with group.

Good VF Condn $785

Six. 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal, Memorial Cross (GVI). Memorial Cross named to F.S. PILOT R.F. CASEY R-54313. Raymond Francis Casey served with 35 Sqn RAF, and died, aged 24, on 14 July 1942. He is buried at AYLESHAM CEMETERY, Kent, United Kingdom. Casey was survived by his parents. His Memorial Cross is mounted on a silver bar which has his rank and name engraved on it. Group is court-mounted for display.

Good VF Condn $975

Six. 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal, Memorial Cross (GVI). Memorial Cross named to P.O. M.W. WILLIAMS J-7204. Maldwyn W. Williams was from Merlin, Ontario and was killed in action, aged 25, on 20 May 1942 while serving with 103 Sqn RAF. His medals are court-mounted for display. Copy of service record accompanies group.

Good VF Condn $950

One. Canadian Forces Decoration (EIIR). Named to CSM (WO2) R.R. NEAULT. In case of issue.

Good VF Condn $90

One. Canadian Forces Decoration (EIIR). Named to SGT. J.G. BOULAIS. In case of issue. Court-mounted.

Good VF Condn $90

One. British War Medal named to CAPT. C.BOURGET. With copy service record indicating that Clermont Bourget was a physician who served with the #1 Field Ambulance, as well as a number of other units, and went to France in May 1916. He was awarded the French Medaille des Epidemies en Vermeil in L.G. 32838 of 29 June 1923. He appears to have been living in Fort Resolution, NWT in Aug 1922, according to his medal card in the file. Medal loose without ribbon.

VF Cond $175

One. British War Medal named to CAPT. C.G. LAFFERTY. With research suggesting Lafferty did not complete attestation, made it to England only as a member of the CASC, and was permitted to resign his commission on 20 Nov 1914, his services no longer being required. Medal loose without ribbon.

VF Cond $100

Two. Korea Medal (Canada) and UN Korea Medal clasp Korea. Korea and UN Korea named to SD 800329 E.H. JODOIN. With service record indicating that Jodoin served during the Second World War in the RCN, earning a 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Italy Star, CVSM and clasp and War Medal (not included with group), and in 2 RCR, 1 RCR and 2 CAU during his service with the CASF. His time in Korea seems to have been focused with 2 CAU, although he returned to 2 RCR at the tail end of his time overseas in Sep 52, and continued to serve with them on his return from Korea, earning his Parachute wings and servibg an additional three years before taking his release in Nov 55. A set of replacement medals were issued in 1973, according to his file, and the naming style on this pair suggests that they are the replacement medals. There is a Second World War MID emblem sewn to the ribbon of the UN Korea Medal, but no indication of any entitlement to an MiD for his service in either conflict.

VF Cond $350

Two. Korea Medal (Canada) and UN Korea Medal clasp Korea. Korea and UN Korea named to B-801204 A.J.J. CLAYTON. With service record indicating that medals were replaced in 1976 - given style of naming on this pair, which is court mounted for wear, it appears to be the replacement set. Clayton also earned a France & Germany Star, CVSM and clasp, and War Medal for service in the Second World War, and was issued a Canadian Korea Volunteer Service Medal in 1991 (these not included with the group). He appears to have served as an infantryman during the Second World War, landing in NW Europe in Feb 1945, although his unit is difficult to discern from his papers, he was with the 48th Highlanders at war's end. He served with 2 RCR in Korea from Apr - Oct 51, then with 2 CAJ (?), before returning to Canada in Dec 51. Medals court mounted for wear.

VF Cond $350

Two. Korea Medal (Canada) and UN Korea Medal clasp Korea. Korea and UN Korea named to SB-34372 R.M. AUDET. With copy service record indicating that he served as a member of 1 R22eR in Korea from Apr 52-May 53. Audet earned his parachute wings in Oct 1953, serving with 1 R22eR until his release in Jun 1954. He re-enlisted in 1959, serving until 1970 in the RCAMC and qualifying for the Canadian Forces Decoration, which was awarded in 1970 but is not with his group. His RCAMC service included postings in Ontario (Borden, Toronto), Manitoba (Rivers), and Quebec (Valcartier). Medals loose on well-worn original ribbons.

VF Cond $400

Two. Korea Medal (Canada) and UN Korea Medal clasp Korea. Korea and UN Korea named to B-802127 R.G. SMART. The 7 in his service number is larger than the other numbers, and may be reimpressed. Service records with the group indicate that Smart served during the Second World War in the RCE and the RCASC as a driver, earning the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, CVSM and clasp, and War Medal (these not included with the group). He had previously served from 1931-35 with the GGHG in Toronto. His Korea service was with the RCOC as a storesman, serving with 25 CIB Ord Coy overseas from May 51 - May 52, before returning to Canada and being released in Jul 52.

Good VF Cond $350

Two. Korea Medal (Canada) and UN Korea Medal clasp Korea. Korea Medal named to SD8880 J.T.O. GAUDRY; UN Korea same number, surname but initials T.J.O., which match his attestation papers that indicate his given names are Thomas Joseph Oscar. The D in his service number is officially corrected. He served in Korea with 1 R22eR from Apr 52-Apr 53, before returning to Canada. He attended parachutist training in Rivers, Manitoba in Jul 53, earning his Parachute wings, and served with the unit for another year before transferring to the RCOC. He took his release in Jun 58. Medals are court mounted as worn, and held in a small embossed wallet (a souvenir of Japan), which contains Gaudry's dog tags and a small photo of him in battledress uniform with his medal ribbons visible.

VF Cond $425

One. Victory Medal named to LIEUT. T.H. CRAIG. With copy service record which indicates that Thomas Harold Craig was a member of the 52nd Battalion, originally from Quebec City, Quebec. He joined the battalion in Dec 1917, and was killed in action on 14 Aug 1918 by a shell during an attack near the village of Demery. With copy service record and circumstance of death entry. On card stiffened original ribbon.

EF Cond $150

Two. Royal Navy Reserve Long Service Good Conduct Medal (EVII) and Rocket Life Saving Apparatus Long Service Medal. RNR LSGC named to I. 3332 G.E.W. SCALES SEAN. 2. CL. R.N.R., and RLSA LSM named on reverse in engraved capitals to Edward Scales. Information passed from a fellow collector suggests that medals were likely awarded to a father and son.

Good VF Condn $325

Five. British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1939-45 War Medal (silver), RCAF LSGC (GVI) and Canadian Corps of Commissionaires LS Medal in silver (hallmarked). BWM and Victory named to 201334 PTE G.E. BYRON. 3-CAN.INF. RCAF LSGC named to 1212 F/S G.E.P. BYRON, and Canadian Corps of Commissionaires LSGC named to G.E.P. BYRON. An unusual group, all medals loose on original ribbons. Group likely represents a father and son combination, as research by a fellow collector suggests Pte GE Byron of the 3rd Bn would have been well over 40 years old by wars' end, likely too old to have earned the RCAF LSGC (which was awarded in 1947) or to have served in the Second World War.

Good VF Condn $850

Five. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal, Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration (GV), and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (GV). 1914-15 Star named to LT. COL. A.L. YOUNG 1/CAN:M.R.BDE:, pair named to LT. COL. A.L. YOUNG, CAFOD named to Lt. Col. A.L. Young 12th Dragoons, and CAF LSM named to LT. COL. A.L. YOUNG 12th MANITOBA DRAGOONS. Lt Col Ainslie Lunham Young joined the CEF from Souris, Manitoba, where he was the original Mayor and a prosperous landowner and banker before the war. Medals have been plated and court-mounted in order described; fishing line that was holding them to court mount backing has been cut to allow examination of reverses of medals. Top bar of CAFOD, also plated, appears to be a replacement copy, and is sewn on to ribbon.

VF Condn $1800

One. Birks Memorial Bar named SGT R. LABELLE R.C.A. MORT POUR LA PATRIE 27 OCTOBRE 1943. In original card of issue, with original envelope (flap separated) and official Government of Canada condolence note in French. Bar is accompanied by three photographs of Labelle in uniform (one head and shoulders portrait, and two with friends likely taken while on training), as well as three copies of an official Department of Veteran's Affairs booklet titled "Information Regarding Mounting and Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals". Labelle died while serving as service number D/6544, as a member of 2 Field Regt. Royal Canadian Artillery. He is buried at Moro River Canadian War Cemetary in Italy.

EF Condn $300

Two. British War Medal and Victory Medal. Named to 4748 A.CPL. S.H. PILLING C.A.S.C. With a quantity of original documents held in a tattered leather Salvation Army folder, which include two original pay books named to him, his CEF Discharge Certificate, his CEF Dispersal Certificate, two original photos of him in uniform, one a full length shot with his Cpl stripes and CASC cap badge visible, and a postcard chronicalling the summer 1948 cruise of the HMS Sheffield, Flagship of the American & West Indies Squadron.

VF Condn $175

Five. Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, 1939-45 War Medal (silver), Efficiency Medal (GV) with three clasps, Canadian Forces Decoration (EIIR). EM named to L/SGT. T.A. KEARNS R.C.A. (N.P.) CD named to RQMS (WO2) T.A. KEARNS. Accompanied by a sterling silver medal of the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada enclosed in a soft leather carrying case. This medal, suspended from a red, white and blue ribbon with a "LIFE MEMBER" blue enamel on silver top clasp, is named on the reverse "T.A. KEARNS MONTREAL UNIT No. 14, 25th JANUARY 1954".

VF Condn $450

One. Air Crew Europe Star. Loose on original ribbon.

VF Condn $375

One. Victory Medal named to 6115 A. SJT. G.E. SKY R.C.H.A. Online attestation papers at National Archives of Canada website indicate that Sky joned the RCHA at Valcartier from the 31st British Columbia Horse. Loose on original ribbon.

Good VF Condn $125

One. Victory Medal named to D. MAC. FARLANE. MESO. RYS. Scarce medal to a European recipient for service with the Mesopotamian Railways.

VF Condn $150

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