A First War Memorial Cross to Captain Robert Neilson CEF

A First War Memorial Cross to Captain Robert Neilson CEF - British War Medal (CAPT. R.M. NEILSON.); and Memorial Cross, George V (Capt. R.M. NEILSON). Naming is officially impressed on the BWM and privately engraved on the MC. Un-mounted, semi-dark patina and original ribbon on the BWM, frosted patina on the obverse of the MC (issued in 1936), extremely fine. The MC in its hardshelled case of issue, missing its medal bed, light soiling on the lid, case very fine. Accompanied by a letter from the Department of National Defence (Militia Service) in Ottawa (dated February 1, 1936, addressed to his mother, Mrs. Alice Delanaudire of Montreal, stating that a Memorial Cross was being prepared for her, as her son's death was related to his military service, 205 mm x 252 mm, fold marks and tears).Footnote: Robert Morehead Neilson (sometimes referred to in his records as Robert Moorhead Neilson) was born on August 11, 1889 in Trois Rivieres (AKA Three Rivers) Quebec, the son of Norman R. Morehead and Alice Morehead. He was a resident of Quebec City, Quebec when he signed his Officers' Declaration Paper as a Captain on May 29, 1917 at Quebec City, at the age of 27, naming his next-of-kin as father, Norman R. Morehead of Quebec City (which was later changed to his wife, Ethel Neilson of Grande Riviere Co. Gaspe, Quebec), stating that he had been serving with the Canadian Army Medical Corps since June 19, 1915, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Physician. The couple had one daughter at the time of his signing, Ethel, age 9. Neilson embarked Montreal, Quebec on May 31, 1917, arriving in Holyhead, Wales on June 13th. He was posted to the Canadian Army Medical Depot at Westenhanger, then attached to the 2nd Canadian Reserve Brigade for six weeks, from July 20 to September 2, 1917. Neilson contracted some sort of illness but his records do not indicate its nature. He was assessed by a Medical Board at Shorncliffe on August 21, 1917, where it was determined that he needed to seek "further medical treatment" in Canada. He was struck off strength for return to Canada, departing Liverpool, England on September 13, 1917. Upon arrival in Canada, he was treated at two facilities as an outpatient: S.P.C. Hospital until November 5, 1917 and at H.H.C.C., both in Quebec City. Neilson was taken on strength at No. 22 Cavalry Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps in Regina, Saskatchewan, on May 20, 1918, where he was struck off strength as "Physically Unfit" due to "sickness" and ordered to seek "further treatment". For his First World War Service, Neilson was awarded the British War Medal. He died on September 27, 1935, his death determined to be related to his CEF military service. In a letter from A.C. Chadwick for the Officer in Charge of Records, for the Adjutant-General, Department of National Defence (Militia Service) in Ottawa, dated February 1, 1936, addressed to his mother, Mrs. Alice Delanaudire of Montreal, regarding Captain Robert M. Neilson, it states that she was entitled to a Memorial Cross: "Dear Madam:- There is issuable to the mothers of those soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force whose deaths are related to military service, a silver Memorial Cross, given by the Canadian Government as a token of appreciation of the sacrifice made by them. This Department having been advised that the death of your son, the ex-soldier marginally noted, was related to his military service, a Memorial Cross is being prepared and will be forwarded to you in due course." Memorial Crosses were later forwarded to his widow, Mrs. Alexina Beaudin Neilson of Montreal (indicating that he must have re-married) and to his mother, Mrs. Alice Delanaudire of Montreal. He is acknowledged as having had another daughter, Annette.