Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Battle of Lens M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant H. F. Vincent, 50th (Calgary) Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Military Medal, G.V.R. (148059 A.L. Sjt. H. F. Vincent, 50/Can. Inf); British War and Victory Medals (148057 Sjt. H. F. Vincent, 50-Can. Inf.), some edge bruising, good very fine (3) £500-550

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 19 November 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘In the attack on 21 August 1917, when his Platoon Commander had been wounded, he assumed command of the platoon and led it with great skill in attack. Before reaching the final objective he was forced to withdraw on account of heavy machine-gun fire. He rallied his men and established posts some hundred yards ahead of our old line which later proved to be of great value as assembly positions for his next assault. He showed great bravery and leadership.’

Harry Frederick Vincent was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, on 16 October 1884. An Upholsterer by occupation and a former member of the 8th Princess Louise New Brunswick Hussars and 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers, he enlisted in the 78th (Winnipeg Grenadiers) in August 1915. Transferred to the 175th (Medicine Hat) Battalion, he sailed for England aboard S.S. Saxonia in July 1916, where he was transferred to the 21st Reserve Battalion and thence to the 50th (Calgary) Battalion. The Battalion formed part of 10th Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, and, as an Acting Sergeant, Vincent won his M.M. at the Battle of Lens and the attack on Aloof Trench. In March 1918, he returned to England to attend the School of Musketry and in May was attached to an Officers’ Training Corps, but the War ended before he could be commissioned. He was discharged at Calgary in May 1919; sold with copied service papers.