Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant W. G. Humphries, Royal Air Force, late Canadian Artillery
Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (6113 Gnr. W. G. Humphries, R. Can. H. Art.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. G. Humphries, R.A.F.), together with a set of related dress miniature medals, a uniform button, his cap badge and ‘For Service at the Front’ badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘305547’, , generally good very fine

The Great War campaign group of three awarded to Staff Sergeant J. H. Humphries, Canadian Artillery, late 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
1914-15 Star (76047 Pte. J. H. Humphries, 29/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (76047 S. Sjt. J. H. Humpries, 29-Can. Inf.), mounted as worn, together with his ‘For Service at the Front’ badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘24906’ and his 29th (Vancouver) Canadian Infantry cap badge, these a little polished, nearly very fine or better (Lot) £800-1000

M.C. London Gazette 5 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Liaison Officer with the attacking infantry. While on his way to Battalion H.Q. he showed great gallantry in attending to two of his men who were wounded. He carried out his work with the greatest skill, and continually sent in most valuable information. He showed splendid energy and judgment.’

William Gilbert Humphries, who was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in April 1889, enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Vancouver in September 1914 and was posted to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on being embarked for France in July 1915. Advanced to Bombardier in the Field in March 1916, he was appointed to a commission in the temporary rank of Lieutenant that June, and was awarded his M.C. in respect of the above cited deeds on attachment to 4th Brigade, C.F.A. Subsequently transferring to the Royal Air Force in May 1918, he qualified as an Observer and was posted to ‘M’ Flight in France in October 1918. Returning to the U.K. in January 1919, he was re-embarked for Canada and demobilised shortly thereafter. Sold with copied service record.


James Herbert Humphries, who, in common with his brother William, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Vancouver in February 1915. Embarked for France with the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion, Canadian Infantry in September 1915, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery that November, presumably to join his brother William. But he was invalided to the U.K. as a result of synovitis in his right knee in October 1916, effectively the end of his active service career, and he was discharged back in Vancouver in November 1917. He died in April 1977. Sold with original War Service Badge certificates (2), in respect of services in France and England, dated in February 1918, and copied service record.