arrivals
One. Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV). Named to 13149 LCPL. J. SHARPLES. 2/COY CAN: M.G.C. John Sharples was born in Blackburn, England on 26 April 1896. He indicated his profession on enlistment as 'locomotive fireman'. After enlisting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he attested into the 5th Battalion CEF on 21 September 1914 at Valcartier. His service record indicates that he had previously served in the 29th Light Horse, which was based in Saskatchewan; he had also served for 2 years in the British Army, as a member of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. Sharples joined the 5th Bn in France on 14 May 1915, and served with the latter unit until he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company on 20 June 1916. Accidentally wounded on 11 September 1916, when he tripped in a trench near Pozieres after cleaning his machine gun, and impaled himself with a cleaning rod that went through the side of his face, he rejoined his unit on 18 November. Sharples was promoted to Lance Corporal on 11 May 1917. Wounded by a gas shell in mid-August 1917 (likely at the battle of Hill 70), Sharples was hospitalized with shrapnel wounds to his hand and the effects of gassing. He rejoined his unit again by 3 October 1917, and was back in action during the battle of Passchendaele, where his gallantry resulted in the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which was published in London Gazette on 28 March 1918. His citation states:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Early in the day he was left alone with his gun, the remainder of his crew becoming casualties. He mounted it in a commanding position, and kept it in action throughout two whole days, and until he himself became a casualty, and was removed suffering from a concussion.
Sharples service file indicates that he received his concussion wound, as well as a wound to his right thigh, in action on 11 November 1917, which suggests that his DCM was earned during the battle of Passchendaele between 9-11 November 1917. Sharples indicated his intent after discharge was to settle in Sutherland, Saskatchewan. He was discharged from the CEF on 8 May 1919 in Toronto. Medal is on clean original ribbon, and is unmounted. An excellent gallantry award for the Battle of Passchendaele to a twice-wounded soldier from Saskatchewan, one of only 1984 awards of the DCM to the CEF during the First World War.
Good VF Condition $2000
One. Victory Medal. Named to 34510 S.SJT. G. A. O'SHEA C.A.M.C. Gerald Arthur O'Shea was born in Merrut, West Bengal, India on 10 December 1889 to father Timothy (33) Quartermaster K.R.R.C. and mother Jamaial (30), a local woman. He was baptized on 30 December 1889, and his siblings included three brothers and one sister. O'Shea enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps on 29 September 1914 at Quebec City, Quebec, giving his trade as 'clerk' and stating 6 years previous service with the Royal Canadian Regiment and the Permanent Army Medical Corps. One of the medical records in his CEF service file from May 1916 indicates he had enlisted 10 years previously in the RCR, serving in the latter regiment for 6 years before enrolling in the CAMC, in which he had served for 4 years and 2 months, which suggests he started his service in the Canadian Army Permanent Force in March 1906. O'Shea spent much of his early CEF service in England, dealing with illness including tonsilitis, gastritis, and disordered activity of the heart. He was also absent without leave for a period of time, and tried for desertion. He eventually deployed to France on 10 March 1917, joining No 6 Canadian Field Ambulance briefly, before requesting a transfer to the Royal Canadian Regiment on 23 March as a result of his reduction in rank to Private. This was granted, and O'Shea joined the latter unit before the battle of Vimy Ridge, where he was wounded in action on 10 April 1917 (left hand, slight). While in England, O'Shea went absent without leave again, on 27 August 1917, eventually being branded a deserter, before being apprehended on 27 February 1918. He was sentenced to 12 months of detention at Wandsworth Detention Barracks, and transferred there on 25 July 1918 to begin serving his sentence. On 5 September 1918, he was returned to the RCR in France for duty, with the remainder of his sentence commuted. O'Shea was wounded in action again (gunshot wounds arms and right shoulder) on 27 September 1918. He was repatriated to England for medical treatment, and remained there in hospital until war's end. He deserted again while in England on 4 February 1919, before ultimately being released from the CEF.
