Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War M.M. group of six to Lance-Bombardier J. R. Millar, Royal Canadian Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (D7711 L. Bmbr., R.C.A.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver, last five in card boxes of issue, extremely fine (6) £400-500

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945

The recommendation states: ‘Lance Bombardier John Russell Millar was wireless operator for the Forward Observation Officer of 66 Field Battery 14 Canadian Field Regiment on the afternoon of 1 May 1945 when said officer was supporting the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders in their attack across the River Ems and on to the village of Terborg. The infantry successfully entered Terborg only to immediately come under very heavy artillery fire prior to enemy counter attack. In order to keep communications open it was necessary for the carrier with the wireless set to move forward to a very exposed position on one of the dykes south of the town. L/Bdr. Millar realizing the danger ordered his driver and other members of his crew to stay back and personally took the carrier forward. He remained in this exposed position for five hours despite his carrier being hit by shell splinters on four occasions. As a result of his actions, communications were kept open during this vital period and the Forward Observation Officer was able to bring artillery concentrations down on the enemy’s counter attack and break it up.’

John Russell Millar, who before the war, was employed by the St. Lawrence Sugar Refineries, enrolled in the Royal Canadian Artillery at Montreal on 29 August 1940. Posted overseas in July 1941, he later served in north-west Europe where he won his M.M. He was discharged from the army on 4 January 1946.

Sold with copied Canadian Army (Active) Discharge Certificate; M.M. forwarding slip; Artillery badge; cloth badges (2); riband bar; 14th Field Regt. R.C.A. 50th Anniversary wall plaque; 14th Field Regiment Association 50th Anniversary Reunion booklet; photographs of the recipient in uniform (4); group photographs (6); paper clippings of his M.M. action (2).