Canada. A First War Trio, to Private John Raymond Edwards, 42nd Infantry Battalion

1914-15 Star (418323 Pte J.R. EDWARDS. 42/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (418323 PTE. J.R. EDWARDS. 42-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (418323 PTE. J.R. EDWARDS. 42-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, residue in the recessed areas from cleaning on the Star, edge wear, nicks and pitting on the BWM, spotting and contact marks on the VM, original ribbons, fine.

Footnote: John Raymond Edwards was born on November 12, 1886 in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (418323) with the 42nd Infantry Battalion "Royal Highlanders of Canada", on March 8, 1915 in Montreal, Quebec, at the age of 28, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Charlotte Edwards of Montreal, stating that he had eight years service with the 5th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada, that he was Married, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Shipper. During his medical examination, the doctor noted that Edwards was tattooed on both forearms. The Battalion was raised in Montreal, Quebec under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The headquarters on mobilization was also Montreal. The Battalion sailed June 10, 1915 aboard the S.S. Hesperian, with a strength of 45 officers and 978 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.S. Cantlie, arriving in England on June 19th. In the Fall, he was admitted to Barnwell Military Hospital at Cambridge on September 4, 1915 with a case of "Gonorrhea". At the same time, he was transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion. After treatment, he was discharged to the Central Military Hospital at Shorncliffe on October 19th, followed by his admission to the Tent Hospital at St. Martin's Plain on October 25th, which was followed by a transfer to the Military Hospital at Aldershot. Once medically cleared for service, Private Edwards was transferred to the 42nd Infantry Battalion for overseas service in the French theatre on November 24, 1915, arriving in France on the 25th and joining his unit on the 27th.

After six months in France, Private Edwards suffered a gun shot wound to his right leg on June 1, 1916. He was subsequently admitted to No. 20 General Hospital Dannes at Camiers the same day. Once he was stabilized, the decision was made to invalid him to England on the 7th. Upon arrival in England, he was posted to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre and admitted to St. Anselm's Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Hospital at Walmer, Kent, followed by a transfer to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe on the 10th, where he would recuperate for the next nine days, before being discharged from hospitalization on the 19th. At this point, he was re-posted to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre. By August 1, 1916, he was taken on strength at the Pay Office in London, as part of his recovery process. The Pay Office was re-designated as the Canadian Army Pay Corps as of December 8, 1916. Private Edwards received a Good Conduct Badge on September 12, 1917. He was struck off strength to the 20th Reserve Battalion on July 23, 1918 and admitted to No. 12 General Hospital at Bramshott with "Bronchitis" on July 26th. He would receive treatment and recuperate at Bramshott for the next forty-seven days before being discharged from hospitalization on September 11th.

Now fully recovered from his attack of Bronchitis, he was transferred from the 20th Reserve Battalion to the 42nd Infantry Battalion at Bramshott on October 30, 1918 and returned to France for a second tour of duty. Private Edwards was admitted to No. 51 Casualty Clearing Station on January 20, 1919, where he was diagnosed with "I.C.T." (inflammation of the connecting tissue) in his right foot. One week later, he was transferred and admitted to No. 4 General Hospital at Camiers on the 28th, where after treatment, the decision was made that he be invalided to England. Upon arrival in England, he was admitted to No. 16 General Hospital at Orpington on February 3rd, where he would recuperate for four days, then was discharged from hospitalization on the 7th. At this point, he was posted to the Regimental Depot at Ripon and would return to the 20th Reserve Battalion on March 7th. He was posted to the Canadian Corps Camp at Kinmel Park, Rhyl, North Wales for return to Canada, on April 5, 1919, embarking Liverpool aboard the S.S. Belgic on April 16, 1919, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 23rd. Private John Raymond Edwards, 42nd Infantry Battalion was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Station "F", Military District No. 4 in Montreal, on April 25, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 271790. For his First World War service, he awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.