Most medal collectors are aware that only one Canadian unit (No.2 Stationary Hospital) was eligible for the 1914 Star,without clasp, roughly some 160 all ranks.
Two well known cases of members of the Canadian Army attached to the BEF are 357 Sgt.Maj.C.Shergold,CE attached 1 Sig.Sqn.,RE and 20758 L.Cpl.R.G.Shearle, CE, attached 1 Sig.Coy,RE. Shergold won the DCM and was mentioned in despatches. He ended the war as a lieutenant colonel with a Military Cross to accompany his DCM. Shearle also won the DCM with the BEF. Both men obviously earned the 1914 Star with clasp.
Less known are the Canadians who were serving members of the British Army. Early RMC grads often went directly to the British forces as so few openings were available in the tiny Canadian army.
I am trying to track down those Canadians who may have served with the BEF in 1914. So far I have:
- Maj.G.N.Cory,DSO,Royal Dublin Fusiliers (GSO2 3rd Division; later Maj.Gen.,CB)
- Maj.D.S.MacInnes,DSO, RE (later Brig.Gen., CMG, killed in action)
- Lt.Col.E.J.Duffus,RA, CO 8th Howitzer Bde (later CB, MID)
- Lt.Col.E.O.Smith, CO 1/Northamptonshire Regt (CMG,MID)
- Lieut.E.J.W.Spread, 1/L.North Lancs.Regt (later OBE,MC,MID)
Anyone who might be able to add to my list would have my thanks.
Cheers,
Terry