In bronze, obverse illustrating a cross with clusters of maple leaves in all four corners of the cross, inscribed "INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF ALLIED MOTHERS IN SACRIFICE" below, reverse inscribed "IN RECOGNITION OF MAGGIE MARKS AS A MOTHER IN SACRIFICE", the "MAGGIE MARKS" engraved, and maker marked "WELLINGS MFG. CO. TORONTO", the three suspension bars engraved "WILLIAM MARKS", "DANIEL MARKS" and "ARTHUR W. MARKS", measuring 28.5 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), the hanger inscribed "ASSOCIATED KIN OF C.E.F / THE PEOPLE OF CANADA" with pinback, also maker marked "WELLINGS MFG. CO. TORONTO" on the reverse of the lower bar and hanger, lightly soiled original ribbon, contact marks. Accompanied by assorted research papers. Better than very fine.
Footnote:
1. Arthur William Marks, Private (12500) with the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards entered the French theatre on April 7, 1915 and was Killed in Action on December 11, 1916, his age unknown. He is buried at Guards' Cemetery in Combles, France, Grave I. C. 10. For his First World War service, he was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
2. William Marks was born on October 9, 1896 in Bombay, India, the son of Arthur W. Marks and Margaret (Maggie) Marks. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (27816) with the 15th Infantry Battalion "48th Highlanders of Canada", on September 20, 1914 at Camp Valcartier, Quebec, three weeks shy of his 18th birthday, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Maggie, stating that he three years' service with an Active Militia, the 48th Highlanders of Canada, that he was not married, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Tinsmith. The 15th Infantry Battalion was raised in Ontario and Quebec and mobilized at Camp Valcartier, Quebec under the authority of P.C.O. 2067, August 6, 1914. The Battalion sailed October 3, 1914 with a complement of 44 officers and 1,109 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Currie, arriving in England shortly thereafter. Marks was hospitalized at No. 13 General Hospital in Rouen with a case of "Gas Poisoning" on April 25, 1916. He died the following day, April 26th, from "suffocation" due to Gas Poisoning, and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in Boulogne, France, Grave: VIII. A. 32. For his First World War service, he was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His father, Arthur William Marks, received his Plaque and Scroll, while his mother received his medals and decorations, along with his Memorial Cross.
3. Daniel Marks was born on December 17, 1897 in Northampton, England, the son of Arthur W. Marks and Margaret (Maggie) Marks. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (171806) with the 83rd Infantry Battalion "Queen's Own Rifles", on August 3, 1915 in Toronto, Ontario, four and half months shy of his 18th birthday, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Maggie, stating that he was not with an Active Militia, that he had five months' service with the Governor General's Body Guard, that he was not married, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Leather Worker. Daniel Marks was discharged from service on November 25, 1915, noted as "undesirable" and "not likely to become an efficient soldier". Undeterred by the Army's assessment of his skills, Marks would re-enlist with the Army four days later, signing his Attestation Paper as a Private (775345) with the 126th Infantry Battalion "Peel Battalion", on November 29, 1915 in Toronto, Ontario, stating that he was born one year later, on December 17, 1898 in Northampton, England, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Maggie, stating that he was not with an Active Militia, that he had no previous military service, that he was not married, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Leather Worker. The 126th Infantry Battalion was raised in the County of Peel, Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Toronto, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on August 14, 1916 aboard the Empress of Britain, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.J. Hamilton with a strength of 32 officers and 822 other ranks, arriving in Liverpool, England on the 24th. While overseas, he would see numerous hospitalizations for various maladies, including scabies, septic, bronchitis, an infected toe, among others. Private Daniel Marks was transferred to the 38th Infantry Battalion on May 29, 1918 and was Killed in Action on September 2, 1918, at the age of 19. He is buried in Dury Mill British Cemetery in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, one kilometre north of the straight main road from Arras to Cambrai, France, Grave: I. C. 3. For his First World War service, he was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His father, Arthur William Marks, received his Plaque and Scroll, while his mother received his medals and decorations, along with his Memorial Cross. In his Military Will, dated November 21, 1915, he stated that "In the event of my death, I leave all my money to my mother, Mrs. Maggie Marks."