A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces

A poignant family group:

Three: Private James Clawson, 49th (Edmonton Regiment) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on 7 April 1916

1914-15 Star (433092 Pte. J. Clawson, 49/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (433092 Pte. J. Clawson, 49-Can. Inf.), together with his Memorial Plaque 1914-18 (James Clawson), in its card envelope, extremely fine

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant William Clawson (alias William Hunter), Royal Engineers, who died of disease on 7 December 1919

Military Medal, G.V.R. (64043 2 Cpl. W. Hunter, 122/F. Coy. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (64043 Sjt. W. Hunter, R.E.), together with his Memorial Plaque 1914-18 (William Hunter), in its card envelope, extremely fine (8) £400-500

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

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Nancy Clawson and her three sons emigrated to Canada from Belfast and settled at 116 Landsdown Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, two of them rallying to the Colours on the outbreak of hostilities and making the ultimate sacrifice.

James Clawson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 21 December 1880. A Bricklayer by occupation, he enlisted in the 49th Battalion at Edmonton in April 1915 and arrived in England in June of the same year. Embarked for France that October, he was killed in action in the trenches near Ypres on 7 April 1916, and was buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery; sold with copied service papers and other references.

William Clawson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 14 June 1886. A Carpenter by occupation, he enlisted in the 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, in September 1914 and, as part of the First Canadian Contingent, proceeded to England in October 1914. It would seem that William used the C.E.F. as a means of transportation, as soon after arriving, he went absent and in January 1915, after a court of inquiry, he was declared a deserter.However, soon after parting company with the C.E.F., he enlisted into the Royal Engineers as ‘William Hunter’, using his mother’s maiden name to cover his tracks. Serving in France with the 122nd Field Company, R.E., he proved anything but a deserter and was awarded the M.M. (London Gazette 14 December 1915 refers). Sadly, however, having survived the War, he died of influenza on 7 December 1919, and was buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. It is pleasing to note that in 1921, on learning of William’s bravery and service with the Royal Engineers, that an entry was made in his Canadian documents reading, ‘Granted leave without pay and allowances from 30 December 1914 to 11 January 1915. Order declaring him a deserter cancelled on having joined Imperial Forces with effect 12 January 1915’; sold with copied service papers and other references.