In bronze, obverse illustrating a cross with clusters of maple leaves in all four corners of the cross, inscribed "INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF ALLIED MOTHERS IN SACRIFICE" below, reverse inscribed "IN RECOGNITION OF LYDIA S. PARRETT AS A MOTHER IN SACRIFICE", the "LYDIA S. PARRETT" engraved, and maker marked "WELLINGS MFG. CO. TORONTO", the suspension bar engraved "GEORGE PARRETT", measuring 28.5 mm (w) x 46 mm (h), the hanger inscribed "ASSOCIATED KIN OF C.E.F / THE PEOPLE OF CANADA" with pinback, also maker marked "WELLINGS MFG. CO. TORONTO" on the reverse of the bar and hanger, lightly soiled original ribbon, very light contact.
Accompanied by assorted research papers.
Near extremely fine.
Footnote: George Parrett was born on April 1, 1880 in London, England, the son of William Henry Parrett and Lydia S. Parrett. He was a resident of Toronto, Ontario when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Gunner (348559) with "C" Battery, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, on October 21, 1915 in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 35, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Emma Parrett of Toronto, stating that he was with an Active Militia, that he had no previous military service, that he was Married, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Dairyman at Parrett's Dairy, with George Parrett giving up the business in order to serve at the front. The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery was organized on August 6, 1914. Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew McNaughton, D.S.O., advanced the science of artillery through the development of the "rolling barrage", whereby advancing infantry would follow as close as thirty yards behind their own exploding shells, thus diminishing the ability of the enemy to identify non-protected areas of the assault. He also devised a system of "indirect fire" which allowed protection to the flanks of the advancing infantry by means of a protective web of bursting shells. Parrett embarked Canada aboard the S.S. Metagama on February 5, 1916, arriving in England on the 14th. Parrett was transferred as a Gunner to the 45th Battery, 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, on July 13, 1916, embarking the same day from Southampton, England for service in the French theatre, arriving in France the next day. Three months later, he was in battle when he suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen. He was admitted to No. 22 General Hospital at Camiers, where he succumbed to his wounds on October 16, 1916, at the age of 36. He is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery in Étaples, near Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave: VIII. B. A. For his First World War service, he was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His wife, Emma Parrett, received his medals and decorations, his Plaque and Scroll, along with his Memorial Cross. In addition, his mother, Mrs. L.S. Parrett of West Croydon, Surrey, England received his Memorial Cross. In his Military Will, dated July 12, 1916, he stated that "In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife, Mrs. Emma Parrett". She was also paid a War Service Gratuity of $116.00.