A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

A Canadian Memorial Cross awarded in remembrance of Sergeant W. J. Minnis, 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion, who, having been severely wounded with the Royal Inniskilling Dragoons on 31 October 1914, re-enlisted in the C.E.F. and was killed in action at the battle of the Marcoing Line on 1 October 1918

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R., the reverse officially inscribed, ‘1000909 Sgt. W. J. Minnis’, nearly extremely fine £100-150

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

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William James Minnis was born in Belfast on 24 November 1879. Having then served for a year with the 186th Imperial Yeomanry, he enlisted Royal Inniskilling Dragoons and was serving in that capacity when wounded on 31 October 1914 - a bullet entered the back of the neck and exited through his left cheek, a wound that clearly necessitated his discharge.

Notwithstanding this horrific injury, Minnis re-enlisted into the 226th (Men o’ the North) Battalion at Portage la Prairie on 7 March 1916 and, serving with the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion, he was killed in action on 1 October 1918 during the battle of the Marcoing Line. He was buried in the Sancourt British Cemetery; sold with copied service papers.