Canada. A Memorial Cross to Military Medal Recipient, Died of Wounds Sustained in the Approach to Canal du Nord

George V (412791 Pte. W. MANSON M.M.). Naming is engraved. Suspended from a multi-link sterling silver fob band, marked "78" and maker marked "AJ" on the band's ring. Light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: William Manson was born on January 11, 1897 in Edinburgh, Edinburghshire, Scotland and later immigrated to Canada. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (412791) with the 39th Infantry Battalion, on February 17, 1915 in Lindsay, Ontario, at the age of 18, naming his next-of-kin as his brother, Robert Manson of Edinburgh, stating that he was with an Active Militia, the 45th Victoria Regiment, that he was not married, that his religion was Presbyterian and that his trade was that of Labourer. While training in Belleville, Ontario, he was admitted to hospital on April 28, 1915, where he was designated "S.M. Carrier". After one week's treatment, he was discharged to duty on May 5th. The 39th Infantry Battalion was raised in Southeastern Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Belleville, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The Battalion sailed from Montreal, Quebec aboard the S.S. Missanabie, on June 24, 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A.V. Preston with 40 officers and 1,003 other ranks, arriving in England on July 3rd. He was with the 39th Infantry Battalion when he was declared by a Court of Inquiry to be "illegally absent". It was also determined that during this period, that he had enlisted in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders under the name of William Baird. The 39th Infantry Battalion was absorbed into the 6th Reserve Battalion in England. Private Manson went to France in February 1916, but returned in March 1917 with "I.C.T." (inflammation of the connecting tissue) in his heels and trench feet, spending five weeks in hospital. He was awarded twenty-eight days' detention on July 9, 1917, but his records do not indicate as to why. Private Manson was granted permission to marry Isabella Manson on October 5, 1917, her maiden name not stated. He was with the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion, when he was admitted to No. 14 Canadian General Hospital at Eastbourne, Sussex, on November 25, 1917, with a sore throat and a cough. This was later diagnosed as a case of Tonsillitis, a malady that would force him to be hospitalized for five and a half weeks, before discharged to duty on January 2, 1918. Three months later and still with the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion, he was re-admitted to No. 14 Canadian General Hospital, on April 10, 1918, with pains in his chest and a persistent cough. This was subsequently diagnosed as a case of Bronchitis and after eight days' hospitalization, was discharged to duty on April 18th. Six weeks after being discharged from hospital, Private Manson was drafted to the 2nd Infantry Battalion for service in the French theatre, arriving at the Canadian Base Depot in France on May 29, 1918. He left for the 2nd Infantry Battalion in the field on June 6th, arriving with his new unit in the field on June 11th. Private Manson was with the 2nd Infantry Battalion on the approach to Canal du Nord, when he found himself in action on June 4, 1918 at Inchy, located between Upton Wood and Cagnicourt. German forces had been gas shelling, with heavy guns playing upon the Canadian forces. Private Manson suffered a gun shot (shrapnel) wound to his chest and was admitted to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance that day.

This was followed soon after by a transfer to No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station, where 412791 Private William Manson, 2nd Infantry Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment) died of his wounds on September 10, 1918, at the age of 21. He was buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Aubigny, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference: IV. B. 13. The Aubigny Communal Cemetery is south of the village of Aubigny-en-Artois, with the Cemetery Extension behind it. The village of Aubigny-en-Artois is approximately fifteen kilometres north-west of Arras on the road to St. Pol. He is commemorated on page 467 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Private Manson was a recipient of the Military Medal while briefly serving with the 2nd Infantry Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), the announcement appearing in the Fifth Supplement to the London Gazette 31173 of Friday, February 7, 1919, on Tuesday, February 11, 1919, page 2136. For his First World War service, Private Manson was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His medals, along with his Memorial Plaque, Scroll and Memorial Cross were forwarded to his widow, Mrs. Isabella M. Manson of Leith, Scotland. She was also paid a War Service Gratuity of $100 on August 17, 1920. A second Memorial Cross was issued to his mother, Mrs. Mary Manson of Edinburgh. He registered two Military Wills: the first one was written while he was a member of the 6th Reserve Battalion, dated October 5, 1917, stating "I Hereby Revoke all former Wills made by me and in the event of my death, I give all my personal property and personal effects to my Mother, Mrs. R. Manson, 64 Kirkgate, Leith, Scotland."; the second one was written while still with the 6th Reserve Battalion, dated March 11, 1918, stating "In the event of my Death, I leave the Whole of my personal property effects to my Wife, Isabella Manson, 3 Tennant Street, Leith, Scotland."; with the latter of the two taking effect.