Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M., M.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant H. V. Spence, 3rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9068 Sjt. H. V. Spence, 3/Can. Inf. Bn.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (9068 Sjt. H. V. Spence, D.C.M., 3/Can. Inf.); 1914-15 Star (9068 Pte. H. V. Spence, 3/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (9068 Sjt. H. V. Spence, 3-Can. Inf.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service, G.V.R. (S./Sgt., H. V. Spence, D.C.M., M.M., Tor. Regt.); Belgium, Croix de Guerre 1914-18; Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Medal for Service and Efficiency, bronze, unnamed, complete with top bar, together with a 2nd Queen’s Own Rifles’ Centennial Reunion Medal 1910, silver, with ‘Q.O.R.’ brooch bar, the recipient’s identity discs, and assorted badges and buttons (9), including ‘C/3’ and ‘III Toronto Regiment’ types, heavily polished and worn (Lot) £1600-1800

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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D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a stretcher-bearer Sergeant. He has shown great coolness and personal bravery when aiding and removing the wounded.’

M.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919.

Hugh Vernon Spence was a pre-war member of the Canadian Militia, being an N.C.O. in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, but it was for his gallant deeds in the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, that he was awarded his D.C.M. and M.M. He was also mentioned in despatches in Field Marshal Sir John French’s despatch dated 30 November 1915, and awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 12 July 1918 refers).

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s M.I.D. certificate, regimental notice of award for the D.C.M., dated in the Field on 22 January 1916, and related congratulatory letter, together Certificate of Qualification for the rank of Corporal in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, dated 12 March 1913, two card-mounted and captioned photographs of the Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants and Sergeants of the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, and his father’s 1st Class Certificate for Gunnery, as a Corporal in the Toronto Garrison Battery, dated 17 June 1868.