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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 356

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal J. S. Forrest, 19th Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment, who was twice wounded whilst on the Western Front

Military Medal, G.V.R. (745065 Pte. J. S. Forrest. 19/Bn: 1/C. Ont: R.); British War and Victory Medals (745065 L.Cpl. J. S. Forrest. 19-Can. Inf.), very fine (3)

M.M. London Gazette 21 January 1919.

James Samuel Forrest was born on 8 February 1884 at Renfrew, Ontario, the son of James Halliday Forrest of Parry Sound, Ontario. A railroad bridge builder by profession, Forrest attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Uxbridge, Ontario, on 30 December 1915, and was posted to the 116th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Disembarking from the S.S. Olympic on 31 July 1916, Forrest was transferred to the 19th Battalion on 5 October 1916 and was wounded on 16 August 1917 suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was sent to the 1st South African General Hospital at Abbeville and returned to his unit shortly thereafter.

On 25 August 1917, Forrest received a shrapnel wound to the right thigh and hand which required evacuation to England and a term of convalescence in Bristol. The wounds gradually healed and he returned to his unit in time for the German Spring Offensive and final advance towards the Hindenburg Line. In September 1918, the Battalion weathered three intense German attacks:

'The enemy made 3 very determined counter-attacks on the position held by the Battalion. All were repulsed with the enemy suffering heavy casualties. The Battalion had 2 officers and 19 other ranks killed. 4 officers and 105 other ranks wounded and gassed' (The War Diary of the 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, September 1918, refers).

Sold with copied service record.


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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£140