Great Britain, Canada; Private James McKay, Seaforth Highlanders: 1914-15 Star (1540 Pte J. McKAY. SEA. Highrs); British War Medal (1540 PTE. J. MC KAY. SEAFORTH); Victory Medal (1540 PTE. J. MC KAY. SEAFORTH); War Medal 1939-1945; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; and ER II Memorial Cross (H-40082 PTE. J. McKAY). Naming is officially impressed on the WWI medals and officially engraved on the MC. Five medals are mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, ribbons on the WM and CVSM have been swapped, dark patinas on the silver medals, MC is independent and comes mounted from a hanger, near extremely fine. Lance Corporal Robert G. S. McKay, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada: 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; and War Medal 1939-1945. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, extremely fine. Accompanied by his original Discharge Certificate, Soldier's Service Book and Canadian National Telegram (addressed to his wife, Mrs. Phyliss W. McKay, dated December 20, 1943) with its Glassine Windowed Envelope.
Footnote: Private James McKay was with the Seaforth Highlanders (1540) during the Great War. He was married to Mary Tunock McKay, with both of them being of Scottish descent. They had one son, Robert George Scott McKay, who was born on October 21, 1919 in Hopeman, Murrayshire, Scotland. They later emigrated to Canada, settling in St. Vital, Manitoba. With the outbreak of WWII, James Scott returned to service in the home theatre in Canada (H-40082). His son, Robert George Scott McKay enlisted as a Private (H-19208) with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada on September 2, 1939 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He soon found himself in the United Kingdom, where he graduated from a course as a Postal Sorter 'B' on August 14, 1943. He was wounded in action on December 5, 1943, although the information in the Canadian National Telegram, addressed to his wife, Mrs. Phyliss W. McKay of St. Vital, Manitoba, dated December 20, 1943, does not state where it happened. It did notify her of his wounding and stated "the extent of (his) wounds (are) not yet available". McKay did recover from his wounds and was named Lance Corporal on June 18, 1944 and was entitled to wear one silver and four red Service Chevrons on September 2, 1944. He was discharged upon demobilization on October 19, 1945, at No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, credited with having served in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Central Mediterranean Area and Continental Europe. His father, James, died from illness, attributed to his war service, with his wife, Mary, being issued his ERII Memorial Cross.