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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 369

A Great War group of three awarded to Sergeant R. A. Shoults, 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Engineers, Canadian Expeditionary Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (718437 Cpl. R. A. Shoults. 107/Can: Pnr: Bn:); British War and Victory Medals (718437 Sjt. R. A. Shoults. C.E.), minor staining to obverse of third, very fine (3)


M.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917. The citation states:

'This N.C.O. was employed for eight days previous to August 15th 1917 in patrolling and repairing train lines and during this time was under heavy shell fire several times daily. On August 15th, in charge of six men, he kept the track repaired thus enabling the wounded to be carried expeditiously to the dressing station, and this under the most severe shell fire.'

Roy Arthur Shoults was born on 26 December 1880 at Parkhill, Ontario, Canada, the son of William Shoults. A bookkeeper and contractor by profession, Shoults attested at Winnipeg for the 107th Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on 7 February 1916 and arrived at Liverpool on 25 September 1916. Promoted Acting Lance-Corporal at Witley on 14 February 1917, Shoults was knocked unconscious a month later when struck on the back of the head by a soldier using a short stubby stick. Such was the severity of the concussion that on admission to hospital at Bramshott, it was noted that he 'could not walk', and it took a number of days for him to recover and overcome headaches, dizziness and a feeling of nausea.

Proceeding to France on 28 March 1917, Shoults was appointed to the 2nd School of Mines at Houchin in June. Having returned to his unit, the Battalion War Diary entry for 15 August 1917 sheds light. The men were detailed to construct trenches across 'no-man's land' whilst under heavy hostile fire, 19 other ranks were killed with 39 wounded - but all remained on duty. Thirteen, including Shoults were presented with the M.M. at Barin on 20 January 1918 by the G.O.C. 1st Canadian Division.

Following 14 days of leave in England, Shoults returned to the front and was gassed on 26 July 1918. He recovered at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, followed by a spell at St Martins rest camp, and later returned home to his wife Minnie on 6 May 1919, being discharged on 17 May 1919; sold with copied service record.


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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£200