A Group of Nine Awards to Regimental Sergeant Major Fritze

A Group of Nine Awards to Regimental Sergeant Major Fritze - 1914-15 Star (22865 Pte W. FRITZE 2/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (22865 A-CPL. W. FRITZE. 2-CAN.INF.); Victory Medal (22865 A-CPL. W. FRITZE. 2-CAN.INF.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; Jubilee Medal 1935 (R.Q.M.S. W.O.2. W. FRITZE); Coronation Medal 1937 (R.S.M. W. FRITZE. W.O.1. R.R.C.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, George V (SGT. W. FRITZE RL. RIF. OF C.); and Efficiency Medal with Canada Scroll, George VI (R.S.M. (W.O. CL. 1) W. FRITZE RL. RIF. OF C.). Naming is officially impressed on the First World War Trio, the CAFLSM and the EM, privately engraved on the Jubilee Medal and the Coronation Medals, the latter inverted, while the Second World War Pair are un-named. Court-mounted, triple push pins on the reverse, oxidation spots on the VM, light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Dental Records, Pay Records and Discharge Certificates. Footnote: Walter Fritze was born on August 2, 1893 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1910 and four years later, signed his Attestation Paper with the 2nd Infantry Battalion "Eastern Ontario Regiment", on September 29, 1914, at Camp Valcartier, near Quebec City, Quebec, at the age of 21, naming his next-of-kin as Edward Fritze of Limoilou, Quebec, stating that he belonged to an Active Militia, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Machinist. The Battalion was raised in Eastern Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Camp Valcartier, Quebec under the authority of P.C.O. 2067, August 6, 1914. The Battalion sailed October 3, 1914 aboard the S.S. Scotian with a strength of 45 officers and 1,098 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D. Watson. The 2nd Infantry Battalion entered the French theatre on February 11, 1915 at St. Nazaire and was to serve in France and Belgium with the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division during the war. Fritze was granted permission to marry on February 21, 1916. He was transferred to the Canadian Training Division at Shorncliffe on November 11, 1916 and posted to the 14th Canadian Infantry Battalion the next day. He was named Lance Corporal on January 1, 1917, followed shortly thereafter by his naming to the rank of Acting Corporal. The next year, he was transferred to the 125th Infantry Battalion on March 6, 1918 for six weeks, before being transferred to the 8th Infantry Battalion and reverting to the permanent grade of Private on April 16th. The Fall of 1918 saw Fritze proceed overseas for service with the 54th Infantry Battalion on September 4th, joining his new unit on the 6th. He was transferred again, only five days later, this time to the 54th Infantry Battalion on September 11th, taken on strength the following day and attached to the 10th Infantry Battalion as a Batman. In the early Summer of 1919, he was posted to the Canadian Corps Headquarters in London effective May 12, 1919, then transferred to the General Depot for return to Canada on June 21st. However, an initial assessment at the departure depot in Southampton determined that he was too ill to travel. He was sent to No. 12 Canadian General Hospital at Bramshott, where he was diagnosed with "Nephritis" (inflammation of the neuphrons in the kidneys, often caused by infections, toxins, and auto-immune diseases. It can be caused by infection, but is most commonly caused by autoimmune disorders that affect the major organs). He was transferred onJune 24th and admitted to No. 16 Canadian General Hospital at Orpington, the diagnosis redefined as "Albuminuria" (a condition when albumin is present in the urine, which can be an indicator of damage to the kidneys or excessive salt intake. It can also occur in patients with long-standing diabetes). In his Medical History of an Invalid, dated July 5, 1919 at No. 16 C.G.H., the Medical Examiner noted that Fritze was "found to have Albuminuria on board at Southampton onJune 19th. Requires a full investigation." He also noted that Fritze's mother had died from cancer. When he was declared well enough to travel, he was invalided and struck off strength to Canada on July 12th, embarking Liverpool, England aboard His Majesty's Troopship S.S. Royal George, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 21st. He was sent to No. 10 District Depot, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and posted to the Manitoba Military Hospital Section from July 27th to September 30th for two months' additional treatment for his condition. Fritze was discharged upon demobilization on October 4, 1919 and declared "Unfit for General Service", at No. 10 District Depot, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, credited with having served in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Belgium and entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 74528. He was awarded the Trio for his First World War service. He later served in Canada during the Second World War with the Royal Rifles of Canada, was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945, finishing his career as a Regimental Sergeant Major.