A First War Medal Pair to the 21st Canadian Infantry Battalion

British War Medal (454913 PTE. F.E. JOHNSTON. 21-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (454913 PTE. F.E. JOHNSTON. 21-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, dark patina on the BWM, spotting on the VM, very light contact, better than very fine. Footnote: Frank Earl Johnston was born on March 1, 1892 in Ernestown Township, Lennox County, Ontario. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (454913) with the 59th Infantry Battalion, on July 16, 1915, in Ottawa, Ontario, at the age of 23, naming his next-of-kin as his father, James Johnston, stating that he had previous service with the 4th Hussars (1908), the 41st Regiment (1909) and the 14th Regiment (1911), that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. The Battalion was raised in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec under the authority of G.O. 103A, August 15, 1915. The mobilization headquarters was near Kingston at Barriefield, Ontario. The Battalion left Canada April 5, 1916 with a strength of 36 officers and 1,073 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H.J. Dawson. In England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 39th Infantry Battalion, with Johnston later transferred to the 21st Infantry Battalion. He survived the war.