A First War Pair to 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters

British War Medal (1212 L. CPL. J.H. DICKENS. C.O.C.); and Victory Medal (1212 L. CPL. J.H. DICKENS. C.O.C.). Naming is officially impressed, his name misspelled with an "S" on the end (should be Dicken). Un-mounted, original ribbons, dark patina on the BWM, contact marks and surface wear, very fine. Footnote: Joseph Herbert Dicken was born on September 5, 1894 in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (1212) with the 2nd Railway Supply Depot, Canadian Army Service Corps, on December 7, 1914 in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 30, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Harriett Dicken of Lambton Mills, Ontario (near Toronto; later of Ashford, Kent, England), stating that he had three years' previous service with the 2nd North Staffordshire Volunteer Battalion, that he was Married and that his trade was that of Cooper & Carpenter. Dicken embarked for England aboard the S.S. Missanabie on April 24, 1915, arriving shortly thereafter. Two months later, he was transferred to the Canadian Ordnance Corps on July 1, 1915, where he was employed as a Driver. He was admitted to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe on June 22, 1916, where he was diagnosed with "V.D.G." (venereal disease, gonorrhea). After one week, he was transferred to Barnwell Military Hospital in Cambridge on June 29th, then discharged on August 3rd. Dicken was promoted to Lance Corporal on November 16, 1916 and awarded one Good Conduct Badge two weeks later, on December 1st. Dicken had an accident on August 13, 1917, where he fell to the ground while lifting a heavy pack case. He was admitted to the Voluntary Aid Detachment at Ashford, Kent, where he was diagnosed with "Synovitis of the knee" (occurring when the synovial membrane which lines and lubricates the knee joint, becomes inflamed or may be caused by another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, or may develop on its own), also designated as a "severely sprained" left knee. He was transferred to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe, where it was noted that he had "weakness and pain" and after three weeks recuperation, was discharged onSeptember 5th. Dickens left for overseas in the French theatre on February 28, 1918, arriving at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Depot on March 3rd. Three and a half weeks later, he was posted to 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters on March 27th, reverting to the rank of Private and was employed as a Storeman. He served with 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters for one year, before returning to England on March 26, 1919, where he was posted to the Canadian Ordnance Corps. He was struck off strength of the Canadian Ordnance Corps and posted to the General Depot at Seaford on May 10th, then posted to "H" Wing at the Canadian Concentration Camp for return to Canada on May 29th. He returned to Canada on August 8th aboard the S.S. Corsican, arriving in Quebec City on the 18th. Lance Corporal Dicken was discharged upon demobilization at Quebec Depot Clearing Services Command in Quebec City, on August 20, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 329255. He died on January 4, 1972 at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, at the age of 77.