Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (1015579 Sjt. J. J. Melville, 72-Can. Inf.; 925128 A. Sjt. C. E. Shears, 102-Can. Inf.) second with replacement ring suspension and edge bruising; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (123698 Pte. W. S. Moir) nearly very fine and better (3) £100-140

John J. Melville was born in Elgin, Scotland on 15 April 1888. He enlisted into the 231st Battalion at Victoria on 22 June 1914. Serving with the 72nd Battalion in France, he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field (London Gazette 24 January 1919). He was killed in action on 2 September 1918 - ‘During the attack South West of Dury he was in charge of a Company of Lewis Gunners, and after reaching the final objective, while searching for suitable positions for the guns, he was hit and instantly killed by enemy machine gun bullets.’ Buried in Walcourt British Cemetery. With copied service papers.

Charles Edwin Shears was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire. He enlisted into the 152nd Battalion at Weyburn, Saskatchewan on 30 December 1915. Serving in France with the 102nd Battalion Canadian Infantry he was dangerously wounded in action on 7 June 1917. He died of his wounds at No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station on 11 June. With copied service papers.

William Smith Moir was born in Banff, Scotland on 8 June 1878. He attested for the 70th Battalion at Windsor, Ontario on 27 September 1915, having previously served 12 years in the 16th Lancers. Serving in France with the 60th Battalion Canadian Infantry, he was killed in action on 26 November 1916, aged 38 years. He was killed by ‘friendly fire’ from trench mortars bombarding the enemy lines S.E. of Neuville St. Vaast. One shell fell very short, landing on the dugout used by ‘A’ Company as their headquarters, killing Moir and four others. With copied British and Canadian service papers.