Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O. group of nine awarded to Colonel J. A. McIntosh, 18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Lieut: J. A. Mc.Intosh. 18/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major J. A. McIntosh.); Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, the reverse engraved ‘A/Col. J. A. McIntosh D.S.O.’, lacking integral top riband bar, mounted as worn, all except the DSO heavily lacquered and possibly Rhodium plated, good very fine and better (9) £1,000-£1,400

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1919:
‘For distinguished service in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 November 1918.

John Alexander McIntosh was born in Galt, Ontario, on 10 December 1885, and as a Lieutenant in the 29th Regiment joined the 18th Battalion (West Ontario Regiment), Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1914, being advanced Major and Second-in-Command in 1916. Twice wounded, for his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Following the cessation of hostilities, McIntosh helped reorganise the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, becoming Commanding Officer in 1937. In 1940 he was the first officer of the H.L.I. of Canada to enlist for service during the Second World War; taking command of 1,100 men, he turned them into a highly competent and proud unit that proved in battle to be one of Canada’s finest battalions. Promoted to the rank of Colonel, he was awarded the Canadian Efficiency Decoration per General Order 272 of 1943, and returned home in 1944. An Alderman for six years, he died in Galt on 7 September 1970.

Sold with the recipient’s Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., Mentioned in Despatches Certificate; Bestowal Document for the 1937 Coronation Medal; and extensive copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.