Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of seven awarded to Major G. A. Annand, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, late 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was thrice wounded in action

Military Medal, G.V.R. (55359 Sjt. G. A. Annand, 19/Can. Inf.); 1914-15 Star (55359 Pte. G. A. Annand, 19/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. Annand); Defence Medal 1939-45, in silver; Canadian Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, in silver, good very fine (7) £350-400

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.M. London Gazette 2 November 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This N.C.O., with a party of 16 men, was attached to an assaulting Battalion as a carrying party. For four days he performed his duties in a most conspicuous manner, repeatedly going backwards and forwards between the most advanced positions, always personally leading his men, and his coolness and utter disregard for enemy shelling encouraged his men to perform successfully their duties. He earned the highest commendation from the Commander of the Battalion to which he was attached.’

George Alexander Annand, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in September 1890, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Toronto in November 1914. Embarked for France in May 1915, where he joined the 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, he was advanced to Corporal in October 1916 and to Sergeant in January 1917. And he was thrice wounded in action, namely on 11 April 1917, when hit by shrapnel in the neck and shoulders, on 13 November 1917, when gassed, and on 16 September 1918, when hit by shrapnel in the arms and legs. He was discharged back in Ottawa in April 1919, having been commissioned back in August 1918. Annand was recalled in June 1941 and served in Canada and England as a Major in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, and was discharged for a final time in Quebec in January 1946; sold with extensive copied service records.