A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

A Great War M.M. awarded to Corporal J. O’Leary, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

Military Medal, G.V.R. (4774 Cpl. J. O’Leary, R. Can. Horse A.), good very fine £250-300

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 12 December 1916.

John O’Leary was born in Cork, Ireland, on 16 April 1879. Having served 12 years in the Royal Garrison Artillery, he attested for the R.C.H.A. at Valcartier in September 1914 and, as a Gunner in ‘A’ Battery, he entered France in July 1915. Promoted to Corporal in January 1916, he was mentioned in despatches by Haig’s that summer (London Gazette 15 June 1916 refers). A week or two later, however, O’Leary was injured in the left testicle on 6 July 1916 during the Battle of Devil Wood on the Somme. In December he was awarded the M.M. - possibly for the battle of Courcelette-Thiepval Ridge - in addition to being advanced to Sergeant. But in April 1918 he lost his stripes on account inefficiency. Next transferred to the General Depot, Shorncliffe, as ‘Surplus, Unfit’ in July 1918, O’Leary was taken on to the strength of the Canadian Field Artillery at Witley Camp in the following month, and was discharged from the C.E.F. in London in January 1919. He died in December 1954; sold with copied service papers.