A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant John Boyd, Canadian Railway Construction Corps

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (104 Sjt., Can. Rly. Cons. C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.) mounted as worn; together with a Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (Lieut. J. Boyd M.C.) nearly extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in maintaining the track, until all guns and rolling stock had been removed. Under heavy fire, and being cut off, he took his party across country back to his company. Later, when in charge of a demolition party, he destroyed all structures and track, sometimes when the enemy were close upon him. He was wounded, but completed his duties before reporting for medical examination.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917. ‘No. 104 Serjt., Canadian Engineers’.

John Boyd, son of Robert Boyd of Scone, Scotland, was born in October 1888. As a young man he emigrated to Canada and was subsequently employed as a Foreman Carpenter with the Canadian Pacific Railroad at Chapleau, Quebec. On 25 March 1915 he enlisted as a Private in the Canadian Railway Construction Corps, and a month later was advanced to Serjeant. With the Corps he embarked for England from St. John, New Brunswick, on 14 June 1915 and arrived at Southampton on 25 June. Serving then in France and Flanders, he was mentioned in Haig’s despatches of 13 November 1916. Boyd was commissioned a Lieutenant in February 1917. As an officer he continued his work with the Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps, overseeing the construction and repair of railway lines and gun emplacements. The difficulties of this work, often near the front, were only made worse during the German Spring Offensive of 1918.

On 22 March 1918, whilst under fire, he and his men, removed guns and rolling stock from Velu and repaired track between Fremicourt and Velu, being forced to return to Fremicourt ‘cross country’. On 25 March he was ordered to mine bridges, culverts, water and signalling equipment in and about Achiet-le-Grand. During this work, he received a slight wound to the wrist. For his services during 22-25 March, he was awarded the Military Cross. On 19 September 1918 Lieutenant Boyd was accidentally injured while inspecting track on the Le Translay-Miraument Line. At the end of the war, Boyd was posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion and was struck off the strength in Canada on 2 April 1919. Following his discharge he resumed work with the Canadian Pacific Railway. He died on 25 November 1936. Following on from his injuries whilst on war service, his mother applied for and received, the Canadian Memorial Cross. Sold with a quantity of copied research.