Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. of three to Lance-Corporal H. P. Ayers, 46th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)

Military Medal, G.V.R. (255060 Pte., 46/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (255060 L. Cpl., 46-Can. Inf.) some edge bruising, very fine (5) £450-500

M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919. Recomendation states, ‘For great bravery and initiative during enemy counter-attack at Dury, September 2nd 1918. When his section leader became a casualty he at once took charge and re-organized his defence. He afterwards boldly led his section in a counter-attack, personally closed with the enemy and single handed killed four whilst his section took eleven prisoners. Though wounded he remained with his section till the operation was complete’.

Henry Parkes Ayers was born in ‘London, Kent, England’ on 10 June 1880. A carpenter by trade, and having served in the Cinque Ports Artillery Volunteers, he attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 5 June 1916. Sailing on S.S. Carpathia he arrived in England in April 1917. He won the M.M. on 2 September 1918 and received a gun shot wound to the left shoulder during the course of the action. He was demobilized on 10 June 1919 and died on 21 June 1956.

Sold with an old card mounted copy of the recommendation for the M.M. and copied service papers; also with two enamelled lapel badges - ‘C.E.F. For Service at the Front’ and ‘Canadian Legion, British Empire Service League’.