Canadian General Service Medal

[Guest Darrell]

This medal was not authorised until nearly 30 years after the events for which it was awarded. It was never issued without a clasp and an example encountered with all three clasps is extremely rare as only 11 such awards were made.

Instituted 7th January 1899 and granted to all all officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the regular and colonial forces who were employed in repelling the Fenian raids on the Canadian frontier in 1866 and 1870 or who were engaged in the Red River Expedition of 1870

Description: 36mm diameter in silver, with a swivelling suspension. Obverse; the veiled, diademed bust of Queen Victoria and the Legend ' VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX' . Reverse depicts the old Canadian ensign within a wreath of maple with 'CANADA' above.

Bars issued; (3) Fenian Raid 1866, Fenian Raid 1870 and Red River 1870

Naming;Canadian Militia -Impressed in upper and lower case roman letters, later issues impressed in large sans-serif capitals.

1. 1866 Fenian Clasp.

This was awarded to Bombadier Thomas Butler of the 4th Brigade Royal Artillery. Regiment # 2637.

Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of 1866 Clasp:

[Guest Darrell]

Obverse Closeup:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Typical style naming on edge. Medals impressed in Canada for British and Canadian Militia follow the below style of Capital and lower case Serif letters. Note the inscribed guide line (typically seen on engraved medals) on the below medal. The Canadian issues were hand stamped by an Ottawa contractor, and the letters tend to be slightly uneven.

a.

[Guest Darrell]

b.

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c.

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d.

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Copy of the original Roll showing Butler's entitlement of the CGSM and 1866 Clasp.

[Guest Darrell]

Also, here is the Roll from Thyen, listing Butler with the same entitlements:

[Guest Darrell]

2. 1870 Fenian Clasp.

This was awarded to Private Kenn Martin of the 24th Battalion of the Canadian Militia.

Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of 1870 Fenian Raid Clasp:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of the Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

The naming style on this one is almost the same as the example for Butler. Note the double stamped "B" in Bn. (Battalion). As is usually the case for Canadian Militia awardees, the Regiment Number is not usually stamped preceding the rank.

a.

[Guest Darrell]

b.

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c.

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d.

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Two scans of the Thyen's Roll showing Martin's entitlements.

First the preceding page showing the heading to the 24 Battalion and 1870 Fenian Raid.

[Guest Darrell]

Second the page showing Martin. NOTE* he was one of only 32 that received the Medal in the 24th Battalion.

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Darrell,

Great post of one of my favourite medals (note my avitar).

I really like your close up photography.

Thanks for an interesting post.

Regards

Brian

[Guest Darrell]

Thanks Brian. Glad you like.

Hey ... never noticed your Avatar! Good stuff :cheers:

[billsmy38]

In records in the National Archives of Canada of the Welland Canal Force, 1914-1918, Lieutenant T. E. Davies is recorded as over 70 years old and a Fenian Raid veteran.

Can anyone provide me with more info on this man.