Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. and Second Award Bar group of three awarded to Acting Sergeant F. R. Brunt, 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was wounded in the face while winning his M.M. at Passchendaele Ridge in October 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (148445 Cpl. F. R. Brunt. 78/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (148445 A. Sjt.. F. R. Brunt. 78-Can. Inf.) mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), C.E.F..

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Provenance: Ron Penhall Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2006.

M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. The original recommendation - extracted from Canadian archives - states:

‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during operations on Passchendaele Ridge from 29 October to 2 November 1917. When all the other N.C.Os had become casualties in the Brigade Tump Line Party this N.C.O. took charge and succeeded in establishing a forward dump under very heavy shell fire. Following the attack he assisted most ably in the evacuation of wounded until he himself became a casualty. He refused to leave his post in spite of his wounds and continued for 12 hours before he was forced to withdraw on account of the severity of his wounds. He displayed marked courage and conspicuous devotion to duty throughout the whole operation and is deserving of the highest praise.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919.

Francis Ralph Blunt was born at Shelton in Staffordshire in August 1882 and enlisted in the 78th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Winnipeg, where he had settled as a farmer, in November 1915. Arriving in the U.K. in May 1916, he was embarked for France with his unit that August, but, as verified by his service record (Canadian archives refer), he had to be evacuated to Queen Mary’s Military Hospital at Whalley, Lancashire, at the end of the year, suffering from trench foot (‘Came out of trenches on 27 November after 7 days in mud and water’). Latterly treated at Woodcote Park Hospital, Epsom, he was discharged in February 1917 and rejoined the 78th Battalion back in the Field in August of that year. Advanced to Corporal on the eve of his M.M.-winning exploits at Passchendaele in late October - early November, he recovered from his wounds - shrapnel injuries to his face - at No. 5 General Hospital at Rouen. Once again, however, he returned to active service, winning a Bar to his M.M. and being advanced to Acting Sergeant in the Field in October 1918. Shortly afterwards recommended for a commission, he returned to the U.K. to attend an O.T.C. unit at Seaford, and was accordingly discharged in the rank of ‘Cadet’ when he returned to Canada in January 1919.