Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private J. E. Gainforth, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment of Canada, who briefly served in France in June 1940, but was swiftly evacuated in Operation Aerial, the withdrawal of Allied troops from North West France, following the Dunkirk evacuation

1939-45 Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Canada suspension (Pte. J. E. Cainforth Hast & P E R) very fine and better (5) £120-£160

James Elmo Gainforth was born on 24 September 1901, at Brighton Township, Ontario. He was a resident of Wooler and subsequently, Campbellford, Ontario, Canada. He enlisted into the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, on 1 June 1938, being given service number, C-4106. He served in the U.K. from September 1939, and landed in France to join the B.E.F., landing in Brest, France on 14 June 1940, but was evacuated and returned to the U.K., on 16 June 1945, during Operation Aerial. For the remainder of the war he appears to have served in the U.K., as a Technical Storeman. His service papers confirm the award of the 1939-45 Star, for his two days service in France with the B.E.F., and his evacuation in Operation Aerial. He was discharged, at the age of 44, on 14 August 1945. With his war service counting double he was awarded the Efficiency Medal in Canadian Army Orders of September 15, 1945. He died in 1961.

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