Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Corporal C. P. Howell, 58th Battalion, 2nd Central Ontario Regiment, Canadian Forces, for his gallantry during the attack on Hamon Wood, 8 August 1918, during which he was wounded for a second time, and Corporal H. Miner, of the same Battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross

Military Medal, G.V.R. (452597 Cpl. C. P. Howell. 58/Bn: 2/C. Ont: R.) nearly extremely fine £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919.

Cecil Percy Howell was born in Reigate, Surrey, in 1897 and having emigrated to Canada enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Toronto on 6 August 1915. He served with the 58th Battalion, 2nd Central Ontario Regiment, during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 February 1916, was promoted Corporal on 28 Janaury 1918, and was twice wounded in action, to the hand on 13 June 1916, and to the left knee by gun shot on 8 August 1918. On this latter date the battalion was in action in an attack at Hamon Wood during the Battle of Amiens - ‘the attack was a complete success with all objectives taken, 400 prisoners, 40 machine guns, and some trench mortars being captured.’ (Battalion War Diary refers). The Battalion’s casualties were 15 other ranks killed and 6 officers and 135 other ranks wounded.

For his gallantry during the attack Corporal Harry Miner, of the same battalion, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation states: ‘For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack, when despite severe wounds he refused to withdraw. He rushed an enemy machine-gun post single-handed, killed the entire crew, and turned the gun on the enemy. Later, with two others, he attacked another enemy machine-gun post, and succeeded in putting the gun out of action. He then rushed single-handed an enemy bombing post, bayoneting two of the garrison and putting the remainder to flight. He was mortally wounded in the performance of this gallant deed’ (London Gazette 26 October 1918).

Although no specific details survive as to Howell’s M.M., it seems probable, given the dates involved and the fact that Howell was wounded, that it was for this attack; the Battalion had seen little action immediately prior to this, and the Battalion War Diary gives no further details of any significant action. Admitted to Hospital, Howell was invalided to England on 24 August 1918, returned to Canada on 16 April 1919, and was discharged on 25 April of that year.

Sold with copied research including copies of the Battalion War Diary.