A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

An extremely rare Great War M.C., M.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Lieutenant A. F. Cagney, Canadian Field Artillery, who was thrice wounded and won his M.C. on the last full day of hostilities

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued ; Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (301009 Cpl. A. F. Cagney, 22/By. Can. F.A.), the ‘A’ of surname erroneously of lower point-size; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. F. Cagney), generally good very fine (4) £2500-3000

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

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M.C. London Gazette 2 April 1919:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Mont Eribus, south of Mons, on 10 November 1918. He was on patrol charged with the duty of reconnoitring the front and flanks of the advance. Throughout the day he was continually traversing stretches of country dominated by enemy observation and swept by machine-gun fire, performing what at times seemed an impossible task with the greatest disregard to danger and enabling the Artillery to advance boldly, and take up fresh positions.’

M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘At Farbus on 3 May 1917, for his consistent and courageous good work under heavy shell fire. Owing to casualties amongst the signalling staff of his battery, he was called upon to be out repairing telephone lines which were constantly being broken owing to heavy shelling. He was on duty for 48 hours without rest. His work in maintaining communications under exceptionally heavy shell fire for a long period, was very fine. He set a wonderful example to the Battery H.Q. party of which he was in charge and the good work this party rendered the Battery was largely due to Corporal Cagney’s influence. He was wounded in the arm during the first half hour of the engagement and could easily have gone to the dressing station, but binding up his wound he remained at his post.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations at Passchendaele on 6 November 1917. This N.C.O’s gun was put out of action by hostile shellfire, one man being killed and four wounded. This N.C.O. has at all times displayed a high order of courage and persistence in spite of difficulties. The great courage and determination shown by this N.C.O. under the most trying circumstances has always been outstanding.’

Arthur Francis Cagney was born in Montreal on 7 October 1891. A tall man for the age, standing at 6 feet, and a Salesman by occupation, he enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in Vancouver in July 1915.

Embarked for England, he went out to France as a Bombardier in 22nd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, in January 1916, and won his M.M. for the above cited deeds at Farbus on 3 May 1917, on which occasion he was wounded - but remained on duty and was also advanced to Sergeant. Again wounded on the occasion he won his second M.M. at Passchendaele in November 1917, Cagney proceeded to England shortly afterwards to attend an officer’s training course.

Duly commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1918, he was wounded for a third time on 28 August - by shrapnel in the left leg - but once more returned to active duty with 6th Brigade, C.F.A., and added the M.C. to his accolades for the above cited reconnaissance work near Mons on the last full day of hostilities.

Discharged in the rank of Lieutenant at Ottawa in November 1919, Cagney attended McGill University and remained on the strength of the Active Militia of Canada, in which capacity he served as a Captain on the home establishment in the 2nd Montreal Regiment, 5th Field Battery, 2nd Field Brigade, Royal Canadian Artillery, during the 1939-45 War; sold with copied service papers.