A First War Medal Trio to the 18th Canadian Infantry CEF

A First War Medal Trio to the 18th Canadian Infantry CEF - 1914-15 Star (77643 Pte A.E. ERWIN. 18/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (77643 PTE. A.E. ERWIN. 16-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (77643 PTE. A.E. ERWIN. 16-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. The original impression on the Star was "74634" and when the mistake was realized, the "3" and "4" were transposed accordingly and re-impressed over top of the existing "34" as "43". Unmounted, dark patina on the BWM, extremely fine. Accompanied by a CD containing fifteen pages with copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Discharge Certificate and Department of Veteran Affairs Statement of Service in the Canadian Armed Forces (dated August 13, 1965). Footnote: Adam Edward Erwin was born on April 27, 1890 in Belfast, Ireland. He had previously been taken on strength by the 50th Regiment (Highlanders) on September 17, 1914, when he was transferred to the 30th Infantry Battalion CEF on November 12th. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 30th Infantry Battalion "British Columbia Battalion" on November 5, 1914 in Victoria, British Columbia, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. A. McCoy, stating that he had previous service with an Active Militia (50th Regiment, Highlanders), that he was not married and that his trade was that of Bookkeeper. The Battalion was raised in British Columbia with mobilization headquarters at Victoria under the authority of G.O. 36, March 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed February 23, 1915 with a strength of 35 officers and 980 other ranks, including Private Erwin, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Hall. In England, the 30th Infantry Battalion became the 30th Reserve Battalion, which was later absorbed into the 1st Reserve Battalion. Two months later, Erwin was investigated for a possible case of Meningitis, hospitalized from April 28 to May 8, 1915 but the results were determined to be negative. He was given a clean bill of health when he was transferred from the 30th Infantry Battalion to the 16th Infantry Battalion on June 24, 1915, joining the 16th on June 25th at Rouen. Sickness caught up to Erwin again, one week later, as he was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital at LeHavre and diagnosed with "Double Varicole" (Varicocele) and placed on Casualty List #103 on July 3, 1915 (varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum. This plexus of veins drains the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis. Upward flow of blood in the veins is ensured by small one-way valves that prevent backflow. Defective valves, or compression of the vein by a nearby structure, can cause dilatation of the testicular veins near the testis, leading to the formation of a varicocele). He was transferred to No. 22 General Hospital at Etaples, then discharged to No. 3 General Base Depot on July 8th, returning to duty on the 17th. On August 2nd, he reported to No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, then to the Canadian Casualty Clearing Station with a case of the measles. He was shuffled to No. 7 General Hospital and diagnosed as "N.Y.D." (not yet determined), then on August 4th, he was admitted to No. 14 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. August 9th saw another transfer, this time from the 16th Battalion to the Canadian Veterans Hospital at LeHavre. He is documented as having been at No. 7 General Hospital at St. Omer and transferred to duty on August 17th, then at No. 9 Stationary Hospital at LeHavre with "N.Y.D.". His records later indicate his illness being diagnosed as "V.D.G." (Venereal Disease, Gonorrhea) on September 9, 1915. He was discharged five weeks later, on October 13, 1915 and was transferred to the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps at Harfleur on transfer from the 16th Battalion on October 14, 1915. He is documented has being admitted to "isolation" on May 15, 1916, rejoining his unit on June 3rd. He was taken on strength at the Canadian Base Depot on June 14th and after two months, was transferred to Buxton on August 16th. It was here he was to remain on command at the Canadian Discharge Depot for his return to Canada. He was struck off strength on transfer to the General Depot for discharge "on compassionate grounds", likely due to his combination of his debilitating varicocele brought on by the gonorrhea episode. Erwin embarked Liverpool, England for Canada on September 13, 1917 and was honourably discharged at Discharge Depot in Quebec City, Quebec on October 20, 1917 with the rank of "Trooper". He stated that his intended place of residence was to be Vancouver, British Columbia. He is credited with having served in Canada and Britain, in addition to serving in France with the 16th Infantry Battalion and the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, earning him the Trio.