Canada. A War Medal to MC Recipient & RAF Observer

A War Medal to Canadian MC Recipient & RAF Observer - (LIEUT. F.W. RUSHTON. R.A.F.). Naming is officially impressed. Dark patina on the obverse, edge wear, light contact, better than fine. Accompanied by copies of Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Pay Records, Medical Records, Discharge Certificates, RAF Service Records and Combat Report Files from the National Archives, Citation from the London Gazette and assorted research material.  Footnote: Frank Waddington Rushton was born on August 24, 1894 in Staffordshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 46th Infantry Battalion "South Saskatchewan Battalion" (427730) on October 5, 1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan, naming his next-of-kin as his father, George Rushton of Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Bank Clerk. The Battalion was raised in Saskatchewan with mobilization headquarters at Moose Jaw, under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The Battalion sailed October 23, 1915 aboard the S.S. Lapland from Halifax, Nova Scotia, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. Snell with a strength of 36 officers and 1,115 other ranks, arriving in Devonport, England on the 30th. He was with the 46th Infantry Battalion when he was admitted to Bramshott Military Hospital with a case of Jaundice (a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia (increased levels of bilirubin in the blood). This hyperbilirubinemia subsequently causes increased levels of bilirubin in the extracellular fluid), on April 6, 1916, then discharged eleven days later on the 17th. Rushton was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Battalion and proceeded overseas for service in the French theatre on September 16, 1916, taken on strength in the field on the 19th. He soon returned to England and was posted to the 12th Reserve Battalion, taken on strength at West Sandling, pending a transfer into the Imperial Army, taking a commission on February 6, 1917. He was discharged in consequence of "his services being no longer required - KR&O - 392 - XXV. Appointed to Commission in Imperial Army. Auth, - W.O. letter 43/80/147 - MSK (504), dated 10/7/17" at No. 2 Canadian Discharge Depot in London, England on June 26, 1917, his military character noted as "Very Good", as he was soon to be appointed a 2nd Lieutenant with the Essex Regiment. He signed a waiver on August 3, 1917, stating "I do hereby declare that I desire my discharge in England, and waive all claim for transportation to Canada." He was credited with having served with the 46th Infantry Battalion, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, the 12th Reserve Battalion and the 1st Central Ontario Regiment in the CEF. Rushton was with the 11th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment when he was awarded his Military Cross, on November 26, 1917. In the Supplement to the London Gazette, 4226, dated April 6, 1918, it cites "T./2nd Lt. Frank Waddington Rushton, Essex R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After an attack he took out a patrol and got into touch with of the advanced posts. Having found the post, he took up water and rations to them under heavy fire, and remained there until the next morning, when he returned with valuable information. He showed great gallantry and initiative." His seven month stint with the 11th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment ended in December 1917, when he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Observer and posted to No. 7 Squadron. He is officially on the RAF list as of April 1, 1918. He was to be involved in numerous sorties in the French theatre, as documented in the descriptions in his RAF files. As an Observer, he survived two accidents unscathed, the first on April 12, 1918 and the second on April 20, 1918. Rushton had transferred to No. 10 Squadron, 2nd Wing, when he was injured during his third accident, on May 18, 1918, while returning from an artillery observation sortie after the aircraft, A.E. C.8546, he was in had engine trouble and made a forced landing. The official report states "Locality: K.16.a.5.5. (Shoot 27). / Guns: Carrying Lewis 19187. Vickers C.10698." and describes the mangled condition of the aircraft: "Damage. 2 bottom front lingerons broken. 2 top front longerons badly twisted. All main planes smashed. Undercarriage completely wrecked. No. 1 bridge piece broken. Engine bearer support aft and No. 3 struts broken. Engine crankshaft badly strained. Recommended for return to No. 1 A.D. for repair. Loft. 8.30.pm. Landed 7.50.pm. Total flying time 25 hrs, 35 mins." He was hospitalized at No. 2 S. General Hospital in Paris with "slight hemorrhage of (a) lung". It was six months before he was deemed "Fit for Ground Duties" on November 5, 1918. Almost one year to the day of the third accident, he was invalided "home" to Saskatchewan and struck off strength on May 20, 1919 and is shown on the RAF list as "Retired" on that date.