Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 366

A Great War M.M. awarded to Sergeant A. F. Gothard, 102nd Canadian Infantry, decorated for his actions under heavy fire and wounded on several occasions, one of which resulted in the amputation of the tip of a finger

Military Medal, G.V.R. (703043 Sjt: A. F. Gothard. 102/Can: Inf:), nearly extremely fine

M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1917. The citation states:

'For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. When an observer was badly wounded, Sgt. Gothard proceeded to his aid under the most dangerous conditions. Sgt. Gothard climbed up a dangerous stairway and ladder to the wounded man, dressed his wounds, and succeeded in bringing him down to a place of safety, all the while being subjected to heavy shell fire.'

Arthur Frederick Gothard was born on 12 June 1877 at Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. A rancher by trade and resident of Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada, he attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Vancouver on 10 December 1915 and was posted to the 102nd Infantry Battalion. He sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain on 18 June 1916 and arrived at Liverpool ten days later, being sent to Bramshott Military Camp for training.

Posted to France on 11 August 1916, Gothard was admitted to No. 11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen suffering from a contusion on 11 November which resulted in the amputation of the tip of the second finger on the left hand. Discharged on 27 October, he was promoted Sergeant on 19 April 1917 and decorated for gallantry at Lens soon after. He was admitted to hospital for a second time on 24 November 1917 as a result of severe burns to the left knee caused by a barrage of mustard gas shells at Passchendaele. The wound necessitated evacuation from Etaples to allow treatment at Shoreham, Chatham and Buxton, his medical notes stating secondary complications including pain in the back between shoulders, difficulty breathing and general weakness, including a shortness of breath and loss of voice associated with bronchitis.

Following regular medical assessments at the Granville Canadian Special Hospital, Gothard embarked home for Canada from Liverpool on 22 September 1918 and was discharged on 18 December 1918 on account of being physically unfit for further service. He died on 29 May 1948; sold with copied service record and private research (From B.C. to Baisieux - A Narrative History of the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, refers).


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£400

Starting price
£170