M997.13.4a | John McCrae's Victory Medal
John McCrae's Victory Medal
1920-1921, 20th century
3.9 x 3.5 cm
M997.13.4a
This artefact belongs to : © Guelph Museums
Description
Keywords:
Keys to History
The first battle of Ypres (Belgium) began on October 15, 1914 with the Germans trying to take the medieval town of Ypres. The British Forces suffered considerable losses but held their ground, and the Germans abandoned the battle after four weeks.
On December 24, 1914 a truce was called for Christmas. Arrangements were made between the two sides to go into 'no mans land' to retrieve the dead. Stories abound about the Christmas songs heard from the German trenches and even about men from both sides leaving the trenches to exchange gifts. However, immediate orders were issued to prevent further fraternisation.
This medal was awarded to all ranks of the fighting forces, to civilians under contract, and to others employed with military hospitals who served during the establishment of a medical unit between August 5, 1914 and November 11, 1918.
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What
During the 1920s a popular comic strip in the Daily Mirror featured the characters Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. These became nicknames for the 1914-1915 Star (Pip), the British War Medal (Squeak) and the Victory Medal (Wilfred).
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Where
It had long been believed that John McCrae's medals were lost at sea. Members of his family requested a duplicate set of medals from Veterans Affairs in 1968. These were on display at McCrae House National Historic Site until McCrae's own medals surfaced at a London, Ontario auction house in 1997.
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When
This medal, along with the British War Medal, were dispatched to John McCrae's father David in Guelph, Ontario, but not until November 13, 1920.
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Who
John McCrae's name, number and rank are engraved on the rim of this medal.
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