A First War Pair to the 1st Canadian Tank Battalion
British War Medal (2365838 PTE. F.W. EDWARDS. 1-CAN.TANK BN.); and Victory Medal (2365838 PTE. F.W. EDWARDS. 1-CAN.TANK BN.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, replacement ribbons, very dark patina on the BWM, gilt wear on the VM, light contact, better than very fine. Accompanied by a University of Toronto Award of Merit (bronze, maker marked "R" and engraved "F.W. EDWARDS" on the reverse, 30.3 mm, suspended from a two-piece hanger illustrating the U of T insignia and inscribed "SOCCER", with pinback and fob on chain); a Soccer Medal (silver, marked with an anchor (made in Birmingham), the British lion, date marked "s" (1917), maker marked "G&S Co Ltd" and engraved "FRENSHAM POND / C.A.A / JULY. 1918 / PTE. W.F. EDWARDS" on the reverse, 33 mm); and a CEF University Overseas Company Cap Badge (brass, unmarked, 39.8 mm x 40.7 mm, intact pinback and loop).
Footnote: Frank Webber Edwards was born on October 6, 1897 in Toronto, Ontario. He was enrolled as dental student at the University of Toronto and was a resident of Toronto when he was conscripted, signing his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper (2365838), Military Service Act (numbered 841238), with the University of Toronto Training Company, No. 2 Military District in Toronto, on April 26, 1918, at the age of 20, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Lillie Edwards of Toronto, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single, that his religion was Baptist and that his trade was that of Dental Student. Four days later, he was transferred to the 1st Tank Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Company on April 30th. Edwards arrived in England on June 21, 1918. He was medically examined while in camp in England. In his Proceedings of a Medical Board, dated July 3, 1918, the doctor stated: "This soldier has no appreciable disease. He states that he had a right side hernia as a boy. He wore a truss until four years ago. There is no hernia at present. Heart & lungs are normal." His tour of duty in England would last eleven months. He was at Bovington Camp when he was struck off strength to Canada on May 18, 1919, sailing from Southampton, England aboard the S.S. Aquitania, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 25th. Frank Webber Edwardswas discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, on May 27, 1919, credited with having served in Canada and England. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He returned to the University of Toronto and graduated from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons in 1921.