Canada. A Medal Trio to Gunner Harry Skitch, CGA, Hospitalized for Gas Shell Poisoning, 1918

Canada. 1914-1915 Star, (220 GNR: H.SKITCH. CAN:FD ART:) naming officially impressed, slight tarnishing, extremely fine condition; British War Medal, (220 GNR. H. SKITCH. C.G.A.), naming officially impressed, surface wear, extremely fine condition; Victory Medal, (220 GNR. H. SKITCH C.G.A) naming officially impressed, surface wear, very fine condition. All court-mounted and secured for display.

Accompanied by photocopy of first two attestation pages.

Footnote: Harry Skitch was born on September 29, 1899 in Cobourg. In 1911, Skitch was living in Peterborough, Ontario with his father, Thomas, and his older siblings, Gabriel, Edith, Bertha, William and younger sister, Ethel. He was employed as a student, with experience in Cadets when he enlisted on February 20, 1915. He embarked for England on the SS Caledonia, landing in the country on June 26, 1915. In September, he began serving as a gunner in the 2nd Heavy Battery and was hospitalized 11 months later for influenza. After being discharged to return to active duty, Skitch was again hospitalized in the No. 13 Field Hospital in early December for Pyrexia (P.U.O), and again 11 days later for an undetermined illness. He rejoined his unit on December 24. On July 4, 1917, Skitch was transferred to the No. 8 Canadian Field Ambulance for disordered action of the heart (D.A.H), a condition associated with fatigue and stress. In mid-October, he was hospitalized for Venereal Disease, Gonorrhea at the No. 23 Cas Cl Station, and again on December 16, at the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples. On January 25, 1918, Skitch was admitted to Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom for gas shell poisoning and Gonorrhea. After 5 days in the hospital records state that he was “feeling very well has no cough. Occasionally has some pain in the chest and headache very little shortness of breath. This man has VDG unsuitable for here, to be transferred to special treatment hospital.” He was then transferred to a hospital in Warlington and stayed for 58 days undergoing the common treatment. While in Witley on May 18, 1918, he was absorbed into the Canadian Garrison Artillery Reserve Battery. Skitch was discharged on February 17, 1919, in accordance with the demobilization act and sailed back to Canada.