Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of seven awarded to Major J. F. C. Maunder, Canadian Field Artillery, who was decorated for his gallantry at Passchendaele in October 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘Passchendaele, Lieut. J. F. C. Maunder, 27th Battery C.F.A., October 30th 1917’; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (A. Major J. F. C. Maunder); Canadian Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45, silver; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service, G.V.R. (Capt. J. F. C. Maunderr, M.C., 1st Fld. Bde. C.A.); Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., Canada, the reverse officially inscribed, ‘Major J. F. C. Maunder, M.C.’, contact marks, very fine or better (7) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Canadian Expeditonary Force 1914-1918.

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M.C. London Gazette 5 June 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The Battery was heavily shelled while in action, two guns were put out of action and the crew all became casualties. He assisted the wounded and had them removed to safety, and encouraged his men to keep the remaining guns in action until the operations were completed. His conduct was an inspiration to all ranks.’

James Forrest Currie Maunder, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, in January 1891, was a pre-war member of the Canadian Militia who was granted a commission as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Field Artillery in July 1915.

Embarked for France in early 1916, he served in 7th and 4th Brigades, C.F.A., latterly in the acting rank of Major in 27th Battery, and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 28 December 1917 refers), and awarded the M.C., the latter for gallant deeds at Passchendaele in late 1917.

Demobilised in June 1919, Maunder remained an active member of the Royal Canadian Artillery (Militia) between the Wars, and was awarded his Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in GO 49 of 1932, while serving as a Major in 1st Field Brigade, C.F.A. And, following the renewal of hostilities in September 1939, he served as C.O. of No. 3 District Depot in Kingston, Ontario, and as C.O. of 51st L.A.A. Battery, and was awarded his Efficiency Decoration in GO 287 of 1945; sold with copy service records.