Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant G. Earle, M.M., 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on 8 August 1918

1914-15 Star (436130 Pte. G. Earle, 4/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (436130 Sjt. G. Earle, 4-Can. Inf.), nearly extremely fine (3) £150-200

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

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George Earle was born in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, on 16 September 1888. Moving to Canada, where he was employed as a Labourer, he enlisted in the 51st Battalion at Edmonton in January 1915. Subsequently transferred to the 4th Battalion out in France, he was awarded the M.M. (London Gazette 19 November 1917 refers), the recommendation stating:

‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, on 15-21 August 1917. On the night of the 17-18th August, Sergeant Earle was completely buried but was dug out, badly bruised and shaken. He refused to be evacuated and remained on duty with his platoon the remainder of the tour. On the night of the 16th-17th, when his company took over the newly won position, he reconnoitred and eventually got in touch with the Battalion on our flank, keeping up communication throughout the tour’.

Sadly Earle was killed in action on 8 August 1918. Buried in the Caix British Cemetery, on the Somme, he was the son of George John and Sarah Earle, of Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, and husband of Isabel Earle, of Jasper Avenue East, Edmonton, Canada; sold with copied service papers.