A First War Pair 16th Canadian Infantry

A First War Pair 16th Canadian Infantry - British War Medal (781988 PTE. A. IRONSIDE. 46-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (781988 PTE. A. IRONSIDE. 46-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Unmounted, very crisp detail, cleaned, light contact, better than very fine. Accompanied by sixty-one pages of copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Pay Records and Discharge Certificates. Footnote: Arthur Ironside was born on August 24, 1891 in New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 128 Infantry Battalion, on January 25, 1916 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, listing his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Jane Ironside of New Pitsligo, stating that he had six months previous military service with the 2nd Gordon Highlanders, that he was single, that he was a resident of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan and that his trade was that of Farmer/Labourer. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Moose Jaw under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on August 15, 1916, aboard the S.S. Grampian, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. Pawlett with a strength of 32 officers and 988 others ranks, including Private Ironside, arriving in Liverpool, England on the 24th. He was taken on strength by the 46th Battalion on November 15, 1916 at Bramshott, joining them on the 24th. By this time, he was in the French theatre and after almost a year with the 46th, he was taken on strength by the 10th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery in the field on October 2, 1917. Near the end of the month, on October 28th, he suffered a gun shot (shrapnel) wound in his right leg (thigh). He was evacuated to England and placed at the Western General Hospital at Liverpool on November 1st. After three weeks of treatment, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote, Epsom on  November 24th, then to the Manor War Hospital at Epsom on December 28th. The following week, he returned to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote, Epsom on January 5, 1918 and was then discharged on the 14th. Once his recovery was complete, he was transferred to the 15th Reserve Battalion on April 23rd. Four months later, Ironside was taken on strength by the 46th Infantry Battalion on his return to France on August 20th, joining the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in the field on the 23rd. He was re-hopitalized, admitted to No. 7 Canadian General Hospital Etaples on September 27, 1918. It appears that his original injury from the previous year had flared up. He was declared wounded, then invalided and posted to the Saskatchewan Regimental Depot at Bramshott October 1st, being struck off strength of the 46th Infantry Battalion on the 2nd. He was admitted to the Auxiliary Military Hospital at Frodsham, Chester that day for six weeks, then transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Epsom on November 13th for an additional week, before being discharged on November 20th. Ironside embarked for Canada on January 12, 1919 and was discharged upon demobilization at District Depot # 12, Regina, Saskatchewan, on February 12, 1919. He was entitled to wear one Gold Casualty Stripe (awarded on October 28, 1917) and three Blue Service Chevrons. It is known that he re-enlisted for World War II military service on August 5, 1942 at Regina, Saskatchewan and that he was discharged upon demobilization on March 14, 1947.