Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Gunner A. Brown, Canadian Field Artillery, who was wounded in December 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (150037 Gnr., A. Brown, 17/By. Can. F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (150037 Gnr. A. Brown, C.F.A.), good very fine (3) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 17 September 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Lievin on 22 July 1917. During heavy enemy shelling on the battery position one of the cellars in which were Brown and two men and two others, was struck by a delayed action shell. Brown and the two men managed to extricate themselves from the debris and despite the fact that the enemy was still shelling heavily the building, they worked until they had rescued the two other men, still buried. The splendid courage and coolness displayed by this man undoubtedly saved the life of one of the two buried, the other being dead when released.’

Alexander Brown was born in Dalmuir, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on 18 August 1890. A Fireman by occupation and a former member of the 79th Cameron Highlanders, he enlisted into the 79th (Manitoba) Battalion at Brandon in September 1915. Soon after, however, he transferred to the C.F.A., with whom he entered France with the 5th Brigade in January 1916. Serving with the 17th Battery he was awarded the M.M. for his rescue efforts in July 1917, while in December 1917 he was gassed during the Battle of Lens and required convalescence. He was discharged in May 1919 and died in February 1969; sold with copied service papers.