Canada wins bidding war for royal medal with ties to Vimy Ridge

[JPL]

Just came across this article.

A one-of-a-kind piece of royal memorabilia with a significant Canadian connection — the medal worn by King Edward VIII at the 1936 unveiling of Canada's Vimy Memorial in France — has been acquired by the Canadian War Museum at an auction in Britain. The medal, expected to sell for less than $5,000, was purchased by the Ottawa museum — with help from the Montreal-based Vimy Foundation — for about $20,000 after the bidding finally stopped Tuesday at Sotheby's auction house in London. "The Vimy medallion worn by Edward VIII is symbolic of the king's admiration and respect for Canada's great achievement and sacrifice at Vimy Ridge," said the museum's director general Mark O'Neill. "It is a direct link to the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, a tribute to all who served their country in battle in that four-year struggle and particularly to those who gave their lives."

Read the complete article: http://www.canada.com/travel/Canada+wins+bidding+royal+medal+with+ties+Vimy+Ridge/3907787/story.html

Jean-Paul

[MJC]

As someone who is .5 Canadian, Yipee I had no idea!

[peter monahan]

As someone who is .5 Canadian, Yipee I had no idea!

I agree! A very fine artifact indeed. Thanks for posting the news.

[Kev in Deva]

A truly unique piece of history gone to a good home.

Congratulations Canada.

Kevin in Deva. :beer: