A First War 97th Infantry Battalion "Toronto Americans" Cap Badge; First Version
Item #C4622
$41
Browning copper, first version with "Acta Non Verba" (Deeds Not Words) ribbon banner, maker marked "GEO. LEES & CO." and "ELLIS BROS." on the reverse, 44.5 mm x 47.5 mm, cleaned on the obverse, lightly lacquered, near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Toronto, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed September 19, 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.B. Clark with a strength of 31 officers and 798 other ranks. The Battalion was one of four raised from American volunteers. In England, the Battalion was absorbed into the R.C.R. and P.P.C.L.I. Depot Units. It was disbanded on September 15, 1920. In regards to the badge, both Lees and Ellis used the same dies to produce the final product.