Two Memorial Plaques to the Sheppard Brothers: Leslie Sheppard, M.M. and Kenneth Sheppard

Bronze, (LESLIE SHEPPARD) and (KENNETH G. SHEPPARD). Naming in raised lettering. Each plaque in its cardboard container of issue, the former with the Buckingham Palace Letter of Condolence and a Receipt of Plaque (stamped in black ink "785133", the receipt never signed and returned to the government). Extremely fine. Footnote: Leslie Ernest Sheppard and Kenneth Geoffrey Sheppard were brothers, the sons of Henry James Sheppard and Florence Mary Sheppard of Buffalo, New York. Corporal Leslie Ernest Sheppard was born on July 12, 1889 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (57721) with the 20th Infantry Battalion, on November 11, 1914, in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 25, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Henry James Sheppard of Niagara Falls, Ontario, stating that he belonged to an Active Militia, that he was not married and that his trade as that of Electrician. He was later promoted to Corporal while in the French theatre. Sheppard was awarded the Military Medal, the announcement appearing in the Fifth Supplement to the London Gazette 30389 of Friday, November 16, 1917, on Monday, November 19, 1917, page 11978. He was recommended for a Military Medal in Burstall's Routine Order 3776 of September 12, 1917, the citation stating: "On 15/19th August 1917. For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty in action. During an attack on enemy tranches, the heavy artillery barrage made it almost impossible to maintain signal communication. With great courage and devotion to duty he went out at the height of the barrage, and succeeded in re-establishing the communication through the barraged area, between Headquarters and the forward troops. This was done at very great personal risk, and under most trying conditions. On other occasions during the operation, he volunteered for the most dangerous duties." (AFW.3121 29-8-17). Corporal Leslie Ernest Sheppard, 20th Infantry Battalion was Killed in Action on August 28, 1918 at Vis-en-Artois, at the age of 29, while signaling a message by flag from the Report Centre (the reference for the location of death (and therefore report centre) given in Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War). He is buried in Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference: I. B. 13. and is commemorated on page 499 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Kenneth Geoffrey Sheppard was born on May 7, 1895 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (406973) with the 36th Infantry Battalion, on May 13, 1915, in Hamilton, Ontario, at the alleged age of 20, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Henry James Sheppard of Niagara Falls, Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. It was later discovered that he had enlisted underage. He was transferred to the 1st Infantry Battalion in the French theatre and was promoted to Lance Corporal. Lance Corporal Kenneth Geoffrey Sheppard, 1st Infantry Battalion was Killed in Action on April 24, 1916 at Mont Sorrel. He is remembered on a Special Memorial in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium, located five kilometres east of the Ieper town centre and is commemorated on page 161 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.