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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 67

North West Canada 1885, 1 clasp, Saskatchewan (1116 Gr. T. Roach. 'A' Batty. C.A.), engraved naming, good very fine

Provenance:
Ursal, July 2003.

Thomas Roach was from Montreal and served with 'A' Battery, Canadian Artillery. The website for the unit gives more detail:

'The first major test for Canada’s Gunners came in the North West Rebellion of 1885...On 27 March 1885, A and B Batteries received orders to proceed west on active service. Under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Montizambert, the two Batteries left Renfrew, Ontario by rail for Qu’Appelle (now in Saskatchewan). On reaching Qu’Appelle, the two batteries split. A Battery and the Winnipeg Field Battery joined Sir Frederick Middleton’s column. B Battery went west to Swift Current to join Lieutenant-Colonel William D. Otter’s force. In addition to their guns, A and B Battery eventually each manned a Gatling gun and both provided their Garrison Divisions as infantry companies to the force. Lieutenant-Colonel Montizambert commanded all artillery in the force and moved with Middleton’s Column.

A Battery was the first to see action at Fish Creek on 24th April, firing over the heads of the Infantry, while elements of the Battery fought with distinction in an infantry role. The Battery suffered casualties of 3 killed and 12 wounded in its first action, including Gunner William Cook, who became the first Canadian Gunner killed in action. A Battery and the Winnipeg Field Battery would go on to fight in the battle at Batoche 9-12 May, where the Gatling gun played a crucial role, particularly in helping to save the guns on the first day.'

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Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£800