Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private F. Gibson, 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was decorated for his gallant service as a stretcher-bearer in the battle of Passchendaele in November 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (769203 Pte. F. Gibson, 4/Can. Inf.), good very fine £400-450

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 13 March 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For bravery and devotion to duty during operations of 6-7 November 1917, at Passchendaele. During the operations of the 6th and 7th, this man was stretcher-bearer of No. 4 Platoon. On the morning of the 6th the other stretcher-bearer of this platoon was wounded and a double burden of work was therefore devolved upon Private Gibson. On both days the shellfire was of a most severe nature and the work carried out by this man was an extreme ordeal. He continued to dress the wounded and assist in carrying them out for forty-eight hours without rest, and his conduct was beyond praise. During the whole time he was untiring in his efforts and displayed the highest courage. But for him, it is impossible to imagine what might have happened to the wounded; and the work of a good stretcher-bearer, and this soldier in particular, cannot be over-estimated. His devotion to duty and perseverance were a high example to all those with whom he came in contact.’

Frank Gibson was born in Toronto on 24 April 1893, where he later worked as a Driver and Teamster. Enlisting in the 124th (Governor General’s Bodyguard) Battalion in December 1915, he arrived in England in August 1916 and was taken onto the strength of the 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion that October. Serving with his unit as stretcher-bearer, and awarded the M.M. for the above cited deeds, he was discharged back in Toronto in August 1919; sold with copied service papers.