Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 288

(x) Eight: Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant, J. H. Bales, 24th Battalion, late Victoria Rifles of Canada

1914-15 Star (65042 Cpl. J. R. Bales. 24/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (65042 S.Sjt. J. R. Bales 24-Can. Inf.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Jubilee 1935; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service, G.V.R. (R.Q.M.S. (W.O. C.L. 2) J. R. Bales. Vic. Rif of C.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Canada (R.Q.M.S. (W.O. CL. 2) J. R. Bales. V. R. of C.), mounted as worn, some minor pitting and contact marks, overall good very fine (8)

Ex-Tamplin Collection, March 2009.

John Rolfe Bales was born on 18 December 1887 at Liverpool, England on 18 December 1887, the son of Captain J. Bales, he served with the 3rd Battalion, Victoria Rifles of Canada before the Great War. Mobilised on 31 October 1914 with the 24th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He served in France from Christmas Eve 1915 and was transferred to the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, seeing service with a Machine Gun Company from 31 December 1915. This transfer was cancelled on 15 January 1916 and he returned to the 24th Battalion.

Promoted Armourer Sergeant on 2 October 1916 he was transferred to the Canadian Ordinance Corps and posted to the 26th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Further advanced Armourer Staff-Sergeant on 24 December 1917 he returned to Britain on 7 April 1919 he was demobilised on 19 May 1919 at Montreal. While he had been demobilised Bales was still a member of the Victoria Rifles of Canada, being promoted Colour Sergeant-Major on 28 June 1926 and thence Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant on 1 December 1928. It was in this capacity that he was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal on 10 January 1931 and the Silver Jubilee Medal on 4 May 1935. Finally, he was discharged on 23 November 1939 at Montreal.

Returning to the Colours during the Second World War with the 2nd Battalion, Victoria Rifles of Canada on 1 August 1940. He saw service in Canada with the rank of Armourer Staff-Sergeant, being promoted to his old rank of Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant by 1943. Awarded the Canadian Efficiency Medal on 3 April 1943 Bales was finally discharged on 15 January 1944. He died on 27 January 1960 and is buried with his brother Major James Nunn Bales, M.C.; sold together with copied research including service papers, Canada Gazette entries, census data and Militia statements of service as well as a birth certificate, medical records, certificate of active service and photographs.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£350

Starting price
£270