Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Great War Memorial Plaque to Major H. R. Linnell, D.S.O., 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action at Hallu on the Western Front on 11 August 1918

Memorial Plaque (Henry Rupert Linnell) good very fine £140-£180

D.S.O. London Gazette 16 August 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion. After gaining his objective he took charge of a very critical situation, acting with the greatest bravery and skill, organised the defence with scattered forces, and under intense shell fire held the position for five days. He was the only officer of his battalion who was not killed or wounded.’

Henry Rupert Linnell was born in Leyton, Essex, in 1883 and having emigrated to Canada was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 100th Grenadiers at Winnipeg on 5 November 1914. Advanced Major, he served with the 78th Battalion (Manitoba Regiment), Canadian Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front, and for his gallantry was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Linnell was killed in action during an enemy counter-attack on the village of Hallu on 11 August 1918, being hit by enemy sniper, and was killed instantly. His Second-in-Command wrote: ‘The Major was a wonderful inspiration to his men and had gone the rounds of his posts with his runner - as usual his pipe was in his mouth and he seemed cheery and confident. On his way across he was shot through the heart by the bullet from a Hun sniper.’ He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France.