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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 178

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (709988 Pte. W. H. Lawless), reverse stamped 'Sterling', extremely fine, with riband and in case of issue

William Henry Lawless was born on 22 June 1887 at Birmingham, the son of Mary Lawless of 15 Cregoe Place, Camden Grove, Leg Lane, Birmingham, England. A cook by trade, he enlisted at Perth for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 28 December 1915 and embarked from Halifax aboard Olympic on 28 June 1916. Posted to the 104th Battalion, C.E.F., he soon began to suffer from a variety of health complaints before even crossing the English Channel. These included bronchitis, tuberculosis and myalgia and involved repeated visits to the military hospitals at Shorncliffe and Bramshott. His medical notes also mention pneumonia and contracting typhoid fever in 1911.

Transferred to the 3rd Labour Battalion, Lawless clearly struggled with the rigors of army life. Repeatedly A.W.O.L., he sailed from England for Canada on 22 September 1918 and was discharged medically unfit at Fredericton on 6 January 1919. He died on 21 August 1935, his premature death likely being associated with war service.


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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£40