Canada, CEF. A Military Medal & Bar to Sgt. John MacRae, KIA, Battle of Courcelette, September 1916
Item #M0444-1
A privately mounted medal bar consisting of:
Military Medal with Bar, in silver, full size, rim impressed 71338 SJT. J. MACRAE. 27/CAN. INF. BN., worn on correct ribbon with bar, light wear and scratch marks on the obverse, lovely patina, in extremely fine condition.
1914-15 Star, in bronze, full size, reverse impressed 71338 SJT J. MACRAE. 27/CAN.INF:, worn on correct ribbon, light wear, in extremely fine condition.
War Medal, in silver, rim re-engraved 71338 A.C.S. MJR. J. MCRAE. 27 CAN-INF., worn on correct ribbon, light contact, in extremely fine condition.
Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, A.C.S. MJR. J. MC RAE. 27 CAN. INF., worn on correct ribbon, scattered gilt wear, in extremely fine condition.
Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal 1911, in silver, rim impressed P.C J. MACRAE., worn on correct ribbon, dark patina, in extremely fine condition.
A Memorial Cross is overlaid on the bar, attached to the ribbon of the War Medal, in silver, reverse 71338 C.S.M. J. MACRAE M.M., and is marked STERLING on the reverse of the 6 o’clock arm, attached to a thin purple ribbon, in extremely fine condition.
Accompanied by a cap badge for the City of Winnipeg 27th Battalion, browning copper, measures 38.75mm (w) x 42mm (h), reverse hollow with two lugs with a double pronged pin, in very fine condition, and a reprinted photograph of John MacRae, measuring 140mm (w) x 184mm (h), in very fine condition.
Footnote: John MacRae was born in Brahan, Ross-Shire, Scotland on March 20, 1884 to Duncan and Mina MacRae. Prior to enlisting, he lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba and worked as a clerk. MacRae also had 7 years of previous experience in the 1st Battalion, 20 Camerons. He enlisted on November 16, 1914 at the age of 30 with the 27th Battalion The Battalion sailed for England on May 17, 1915 aboard the S.S. Carpathia, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.R. Snider with a strength of 33 officers and 1,039 other ranks. The Battalion served in France and Belgium with the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. MacRae was promoted to Sergeant on May 23, 1915.
On April 13, 1916, he was admitted to No. 3 General Hospital, Boulogne for a gunshot wound to the right hand. He was discharged to his unit on April 26. MacRae was married on January 16, 1916 to Margaret Kirkpatrick, who lived in Dumfries, Scotland.
He was awarded the Military Medal on August 8, 1916. On September 3, he was awarded the bar to the military medal (London Gazette on October 21, 1916). The citation reads “On the 6th April, 1916, at St Eloi, when wounded under most severe bombardments he stayed with his men, giving them every encouragement and looking after their safety. On several occasions under very trying conditions he acted as guide to various parties to the craters and new front line. By his general behaviour he cheered his men on till rendered incapable by further wounds.”
MacRae was killed in Action on September 15, 1916 in France during the Battle of Courcelette. This battle was a part of the Somme offensive, responsible for thousands of casualties. This battle saw the first introduction of tank battles, in an attempt to break the trench deadlock. MacRae is memorialized at the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France and in Kilmorack, Highland, Scotland.