Family group:

A Great War 1916 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal W. Ling, 19th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Infantry
Military Medal, G.V.R. (135776 Pte W. Ling. 19/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (135776 Cpl. W. Ling. 19-Can. Inf.) with M.M. riband bar, mounted for wear, generally good very fine

Pair: Private A. Ling, 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 15 August 1917

British War and Victory Medals (135775 Pte. A. Ling. 7-Can. Inf.) with Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Gift Tin, generally good very fine or better (5) £400-£500

M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916.


Walter Ling was born in London, England in September 1888. He emigrated to Canada, and served during the Great War with the 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Ling was wounded in action at Vimy Ridge, 10 May 1917, and died in March 1947.


Arthur Ling was the younger brother of the above, and was born in London in July 1891. The following extract is taken from The Toronto Star, 20 September 1917:

‘TWO BROTHERS SERVE

Pte. A. Ling Was Killed in Action and His Brother Walter Wounded.

Pte. Arthur Ling, who lived with his married brother George at 108 Walpole avenue, is reported killed in action August 15 [1917], according to word received from his sister in England. He was in the Q.O.R. [Queen's Own Rifles] band before the war and after joining an overseas battalion, served with a band in England until last May, when he went to France with an infantry draft. He was 26 years of age and been in Canada four years, his widowed mother dying on the voyage to Canada, and was buried at sea. His brother, Walter, age 30 years, enlisted in the same battalion, was wounded May 10, and is now waiting to undergo an operation in Epsom Hospital, England.’
Private Ling was serving with the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia) at Hill 70 when he was killed in action. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas des Calais, France, and a Memorial Tablet located at St. Barnabas Church, Danforth Avenue, Toronto. Erected by the Sons of England Benefit Society, Todmorden Lodge No. 298.