Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Passchendaele operations M.M. awarded to Sergeant A. Lemay, 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was twice wounded

Military Medal, G.V.R. (417460 Sjt. A. Lemay, 22/Quebec R.), edge bruise and faint contact marks, very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry. From 8-10 November 1917, in the Passchendaele area, he many times personally led parties through murderous barrage(s), picking up and carrying wounded to the R.A.P. Under the most trying conditions of ground and weather, wounded himself, he all through showed wonderful endurance, courage and determination.’

Alade Lemay was born in St. Emelie, Quebec, on 28 May 1889. A Carpenter by occupation, and having served for three years in the 65th Regiment Carbiniers Mont Royal, he enlisted in the 41st (French Canadian) Battalion at Quebec in July 1915. Transferred to the 21st (French Canadian) Battalion in France during August 1916, Lemay was wounded on 1 October 1916, suffering a severe shrapnel wound to the left leg, during the Battle of Ancre Heights and Regina Trench. Having then returned to active duty, he was again wounded on 28 August 1918, suffering a gun shot wound to the left forearm, during the Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Monchy-le-Preux. Lemay, who was awarded the M.M. for the above cited deeds at Passchendaele in November 1917, was discharged at Montreal in January 1919. He later lived in Watertown, Massachusetts, and died in April 1936; sold with copied service papers.

This citation relates to 41799 Sgt. Abondius Lemay. The M.M. for 417460 Sgt. Alade/Alcide Lemay (LG 24 Jan 1919) is for Amiens 8-9 Aug 1918 - no citations survive for Canadian MMs in that month