Steve123 Posted 15 February Share Posted 15 February (edited) Hello: I have the Canadian Memorial Cross for Pte. J.F. Ward (730484) which is pictured below. I have one question on the bar: - I don't believe that this is the original bar unless there was a short production of the type? The bar is also in sterling and I don't see any marks on the ring, such as to close it with pliers. Also, there may have been something ornamental in the "Field" of the bar at sometime unless it is just aged as so. Also, in his records, there is a mention of Plaque P37941. Would this relate to the so-called "Death Penny", if numbered? I have read that only some were numbered behind the Lion's leg. Thank you, Steve Edited 15 February by Steve123 added info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 15 February Share Posted 15 February @Steve123 Here are the CEF records for your man - click on link https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=300600 B10082-S049 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 15 February Share Posted 15 February I am not an expert on Canadian Memorial Crosses by any means but I have seen a good number of them during my collecting career, Some have the additional top clasp but many dont. This example is seen ocassionally but not as common as some, they would have ben added by the family (mother, wife etc) after issue. Normally the CM cross is suspended by a thin purple (sometimers blue) ribbon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve123 Posted 15 February Author Share Posted 15 February Thanks, I have seen them with a thin issued bar, but not this one. Probably added as you say, by the mother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 15 February Share Posted 15 February Plaque was sent to his mother Jun 17, 1921. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve123 Posted 15 February Author Share Posted 15 February Thanks, RNCVR, I have all of his records already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 15 February Share Posted 15 February Just now, Steve123 said: Thanks, I have seen them with a thin issued bar, but not this one. Probably added as you say, by the mother. As i said in my previous post I am not an expert on these as I never collected them, but I have seen this type of suspension on the Canadian Naval crosses dating from 2 WW period. Just now, Steve123 said: Thanks, RNCVR, I have all of his records already. OK I was not certain, but thought i would mention it to you. All CEF records are available on line now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve123 Posted 15 February Author Share Posted 15 February 1 hour ago, RNCVR said: As i said in my previous post I am not an expert on these as I never collected them, but I have seen this type of suspension on the Canadian Naval crosses dating from 2 WW period. OK I was not certain, but thought i would mention it to you. All CEF records are available on line now. RNCVR - Thank you, so you have seen this exact bar on other crosses, or ones like it? I use Ancestry Full Access, Fold3 and sometimes Newspapers.com to get info. I know there are some free sources to get just the military file, but I like to research beyond that. If anyone else has a Cross with similar bars, would you please share? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 22 February Share Posted 22 February @Steve123 Hi Steve, Here is another example of a 1WW Cross, same type of suspension - its to a CEF soldier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve123 Posted 22 February Author Share Posted 22 February @RNCVR thank you for posting. Now I know it wasnt a one-off. I very much appreciate you remembering this post. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve123 Posted 25 February Author Share Posted 25 February If anyone else has a Canadian Memorial Cross with a different suspension bar, I would love to see it. Thanks, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Nichol Posted 26 March Share Posted 26 March Not a Great War piece but a good example of a Memorial Cross having been modified (by a jeweller I suspect) in order to allow the mother to wear it. This cross was awarded to the mother of Sgt. George Tarswell of the Queens Own Rifles KIA July 9, 1944. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 26 March Share Posted 26 March @Steve Nichol This attractive bow type of suspension is seen frequently on Canadian Memorial Crosses... Judging from the Sweetheart pins he was 2nd Queens Own Rifles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve123 Posted 26 March Author Share Posted 26 March Hi, @Steve Nichol, that is an attractive addition. Thank you for sharing it. Sþeve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Nichol Posted 27 March Share Posted 27 March 18 hours ago, RNCVR said: @Steve Nichol This attractive bow type of suspension is seen frequently on Canadian Memorial Crosses... Judging from the Sweetheart pins he was 2nd Queens Own Rifles? Yes. He was killed during the fighting at Carpiquet Airfield. Apparently one of three Sgts. killed that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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