Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An emotive and exceptionally complete Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and posthumous Bar group of four awarded to Lieutenant H. T. Poste, 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Toronto Regiment), who was awarded an M.C. for gallantry at Passchendaele on 6 November 1917, and a bar for the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918, in which action he was mortally wounded

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award bar, the reverse of cross attractively inscribed ‘H. T. Poste, Passchendaele’ and reverse of bar similarly inscribed ‘Amiens’; 1914-15 Star (9480 Pte., 3/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); together with Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (Lieut. H. T. Poste, M.C.) this hung from a silver chain; memorial plaque (Henry Thomas Poste) this set into an attractive patriotic metal insert; International Order of Allied Mothers in Sacrifice bronze medal, with bar inscribed ‘Henry T. Poste’ and top bar brooch ‘Associated Kin of C.E.F., The People of Canada’, reverse inscribed ‘In recognition of Ann Poste as a mother in sacrifice’; named illuminated memorial scroll, an illuminated attractive certificate, with a fine studio portrait set in centre and inscribed ‘For King and Empire - Third Battalion - Henry Thomas Poste enlisted at Toronto, August 9th 1914, European War’; a further high quality studio photograph of recipient in uniform, this set in an elaborate patriotic bronze insert; Imperial War Grave Commission certificate giving details of recipient and a photograph of Crouy Cemetery, France in which he is buried; enamelled gilt-metal locket, inscribed ‘His Country Called - He Answered’ and with photo of recipient mounted in centre; Toronto Regiment cap badge, collar badges (2) and buttons (4) all contained within a matching set of seven high quality wooden frames, nearly extremely fine (lot) £3000-3500

M.C. London Gazette 18 July 1918.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Sent forward to arrange the relief of the line and reconnoitre the assembly area, he performed this task, and dispositions were accordingly made which later saved the company many casualties. Finding that the regular route was heavily shelled, he discovered a shorter and better route, through which he brought up the company without a casualty. In the attack, on his senior officers becoming casualties, he led his company through the enemy barrage on to the objective with very few casualties. His splendid courage, wonderful initiative and cheerfulness under such great difficulties afforded a wonderful example to all ranks.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 2 December 1918.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer was severely wounded at the start, but upon his company commander being wounded he took command and led it forward 8,000 yards to the final objective, overcoming a series of machine-gun nests. He was again wounded, and forced to retire after setting very fine example to his men.’

Lieutenant Henry Thomas Poste, the son of Henry Thomas and Ann Poste of West Toronto was working as a pattern maker at the Davenport Works of the Canadian General Electric Company on the outbreak of the Great War when he immediately enlisted into the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

He was mortally wounded whilst directing his platoon in an attack on an enemy machine-gun nest in the vicinity of Cayeux on 8 August 1918, whilst moving over to a section to direct them, a machine-gun bullet struck his pack which was on his back, passing through, entering his back and coming out below his left breast. His wound was dressed and he was carried back to No 5 Casualty Clearing Station where he succumbed the next day, aged 23 years. He is buried in Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy sur-Somme, France.

Sold with an extremely comprehensive file of detailed research.