Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb Great War 1917 ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private F. Binkhorst, 43rd Canadian Infantry, for his gallantry on 15 March 1917, when he single handedly beat off an enemy attack of 75 men, and saved his Lewis gun

Military Medal, G.V.R. (151556 Pte. F. Binkhorst. 43/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (151556 Pte. F. Binkhorst. 43-Can. Inf.) good very fine (3) £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917.

The original Recommendation, dated 27 March 1917, states: ‘On the morning of 15th March, the enemy attempted to raid our trench between Patricia and Vernon craters. This man was in the Observation line on the crew of a Lewis gun, which went out of action from a stoppage. Though the enemy had broken into the trench on his left and had almost surrounded the post, Private Binkhorst remained with his gun having become separated from his two companions, and by using his rifle and bombs single handed beat off the attack, held the post, and saved the gun. The raiding party consisted of 75 men in two parties, one of which attacked the post in question. He has invariably shown similar courage and coolness on other occasions.’

Frank Binkhorst was born in Holland and emigrated to Canada, where he was employed as a steam engineer in Vancouver, British Colombia. He served with the 43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry during the Great War, and was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry in saving a Lewis gun from an enemy attack on the Western Front on 15 March 1917.