Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Corporal W. T. Woolnough, 38th Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 21 July 1918

British War and Victory Medals (246469 Cpl. W. T. Woolnough. 38-Can. Inf.); Memorial Plaque (William Thomas Woolnough) housed in a contemporary cross display frame; Memorial Scroll ‘Cpl. William Thomas Woolnough, Canadian Infantry Bn.’; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (246469 Cpl. W. T. Woolnough) in embossed case of issue, with Canadian Government enclosure, extremely fine (5) £240-£280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties.

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William Thomas Woolnough was born in Melton, Suffolk on 2 January 1889, and emigrating to Canada attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Ottawa on 1 June 1916. He served with the 38th Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Canadian Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 21 July 1918. A letter to the recipient’s mother, from Lieutenant J. G. Nicholson, dated 21 July 1918, states:
‘Your son, Corporal W. T. Woolnough, was killed in action this morning about 3 a.m. He was in the trench during “stand to” at the time along with some comrades when a shell exploded on the parapet rendering him unconscious. Everything possible was done by the stretcher bearer but Corporal Woolnough never regained consciousness and died a short time afterwards. I am thankful to be able to say that he at least suffered no pain and that death was so merciful. Corporal Woolnough, who was in my platoon, was probably the best and most popular N.C.O. in the whole Company. His loss in deeply felt by all of us, both Officers and men, not only for his efficiency as a brave soldier but more for his friendship which was greatly valued by all. He is very much missed in the platoon which is more like a big family than a platoon. I hope that your sorrow may be lessened to some degree by the knowledge that your son lived and died as a brave soldier and a good man.’

Sold with various letters regarding the recipient’s death; a photograph of the recipient and various memorial photographs; together with copied research.