TacHel Posted April 4, 2009 Posted April 4, 2009 I'm presently framing this set for the friend of a colleague at work and thought I'd share it with you gents.A WW2 RCAF set to FSgt Joseph Mercier of Montreal Quebec.
TacHel Posted April 4, 2009 Author Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) Below are great pictures of the recipient. The gent decorating him in 1946 in none other than Field Marshal the Viscount Alexander. Edited April 4, 2009 by TacHel
TacHel Posted April 4, 2009 Author Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) No doubt some of you have noticed the FSgt isn't wearing "CANADA" shoulder titles. His entire service was spent in Canada where this was very common during WW2, only when transferred overseas would most airmen slap on the "CANADA" on their shoulder patches.Another bit of info. Viscount Alexander is decorating mister Mercier in one of his very first official duties as Governor General of Canada. Edited April 4, 2009 by TacHel
leigh kitchen Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 That first photo, the crown above the stripes looks bullion? Or just coloured thread?Any info on the award of the B.E.M?
TacHel Posted April 9, 2009 Author Posted April 9, 2009 That first photo, the crown above the stripes looks bullion? Or just coloured thread?Any info on the award of the B.E.M?The crown is just coloured thread. I have his rank insignias also for the frame.I'll ask her if she has the actual citation for the BEM and get back to you ASAP.
Ed_Haynes Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 An interesting group (though 'tis a shame it has been dipped). Thanks for posting. The BEM is always an interesting and, I think, underrated award. While Alexander was tall, Mercier surely seems to have been SHORT.
TacHel Posted April 9, 2009 Author Posted April 9, 2009 An interesting group (though 'tis a shame it has been dipped). Thanks for posting. The BEM is always an interesting and, I think, underrated award. While Alexander was tall, Mercier surely seems to have been SHORT.Hi Ed,Plating, or dipping medals as you call it, was and is still very common in Canada. And BTW, Alexander is on a dais! Our recipient was 5'10''...
Ed_Haynes Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 Hi Ed,Plating, or dipping medals as you call it, was and is still very common in Canada.A shame. It is common in India too. And 'tis equally sad. Colonels and their ilk, I guess, are all easily distracted by sparkly things?First lesson I ever learned regarding museum preservation: Do nothing that cannot be reversed. Desecration. And BTW, Alexander is on a dais! Our recipient was 5'10''...Says something (I had always suspectected) about Alexander . . .
Ralph Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 From "Courage and Service" (J Blatherwick and H. Halliday)MERCIER, FS Joseph Pierre Guy (Can 2509) - British Empire Medal - No.2 Release Centre - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 660/46 dated 5 July 1946. Born 1 February 1919. Home in Verdun, Quebec; enlisted in Montreal, 23 January 1939. At No.5 SFTS, 15 October 1940 to 21 June 1941; No.4 Manning Depot, 6 September 1941 to 1 March 1942; No.1 "Y" Depot, 2 March 1942 to 24 October 1944; No.2 Release Centre, 25 October 1944 to 15 March 1946; released 6 August 1946. LAC on 25 January 1940; Corporal, 1 August 1940; Sergeant, 1 March 1941; Flight Sergeant, 1 June 1942. Graded as General Duties (23 January 1939); Disciplinarian (6 September 1941) and Physical Training/Drill Instructor (9 March 1943). Medal presented 5 October 1947.Flight Sergeant Mercier has shown outstanding ability in handling the transient personnel of this unit. He has a very high sense of duty and has given his best at all times in the interests of the Service. He has been an excellent example to the rest of the staff of the Release Centre and has contributed a great deal to the overall efficiency of this unit.
TacHel Posted April 10, 2009 Author Posted April 10, 2009 From "Courage and Service" (J Blatherwick and H. Halliday)MERCIER, FS Joseph Pierre Guy (Can 2509) - British Empire Medal - No.2 Release Centre - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 660/46 dated 5 July 1946. Born 1 February 1919. Home in Verdun, Quebec; enlisted in Montreal, 23 January 1939. At No.5 SFTS, 15 October 1940 to 21 June 1941; No.4 Manning Depot, 6 September 1941 to 1 March 1942; No.1 "Y" Depot, 2 March 1942 to 24 October 1944; No.2 Release Centre, 25 October 1944 to 15 March 1946; released 6 August 1946. LAC on 25 January 1940; Corporal, 1 August 1940; Sergeant, 1 March 1941; Flight Sergeant, 1 June 1942. Graded as General Duties (23 January 1939); Disciplinarian (6 September 1941) and Physical Training/Drill Instructor (9 March 1943). Medal presented 5 October 1947.Flight Sergeant Mercier has shown outstanding ability in handling the transient personnel of this unit. He has a very high sense of duty and has given his best at all times in the interests of the Service. He has been an excellent example to the rest of the staff of the Release Centre and has contributed a great deal to the overall efficiency of this unit.Wow! His children will be pleased as punch with this info that they didn't have! Let me wholeheartedly thank you on their behalf! :D
TacHel Posted July 18, 2009 Author Posted July 18, 2009 Ralph, thanks again for the info on FS Mercier's career and award.I put together this frame for the family and included the info on the side plaques.His children asked me to thank you guys once again for the info.
Ralph Posted July 18, 2009 Posted July 18, 2009 Glad to have helped - you have made a very nice job of the framing as well.regardsRalph
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