Canada. A Military Cross Miniature Group for an Attack on the Marcoing Line

 Military Cross, George V (silver, 19.7 mm); 1914-15 Star (bronze, 19.3 mm x 23.3 mm); British War Medal (silver, 18.8 mm); and Victory Medal (bronze, 18.8 mm). Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, dark patinas on the silver cross and medal, extremely fine. Accompanied by his Cigarette Case (silver, convex, engraved on the front cover with the interlocking initials "W H" (William Haddock) in the centre and the 52nd Infantry Battalion insignia at the upper right, marked with the British lion, an anchor (made in Birmingham), date marked "r" (1916) and maker marked "W.N Ltd" (W. Neale & Son Limited), restraining elastic on both inside panels, 80.7 mm x 86.8 mm, small dent on the bottom edge of the front cover, light contact overall), with contact marks and surface wear, case very fine. Footnote: William Walter Haddock was born on May 4, 1883 in London, England, the son of Robert Albert Haddock and Emily Emma Haddock (nee Haylett). He married Jessie May Thraster at York, Ontario, on April 17, 1907. Haddocksigned his Officers' Declaration Paper with the 172nd Infantry Battalion "Rocky Mountain Rangers", on May 26, 1916 in Victoria, British Columbia, at the age of 33, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Jessie May Haddock, stating that he was with an Active Militia, the 102nd Regiment Rocky Mountain Rangers, that he had previous service with the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment for six years, with the Queen's Own Rifles for two years, with the 102nd Regiment Rocky Mountain Rangers for two years and with the CEF 62nd Infantry Battalion as a Captain for seven months, that his religion was Church of England and that his occupation was that of Telephonist. He had been attached to the 172nd Infantry Battalion since February 1, 1916 and was Officer Commanding "B" Company. The Battalion was raised in the Kamloops area of British Columbia, with mobilization headquarters at Kamloops under the authority of G.O. 69, July 15, 1916. The Battalion sailed October 25, 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.R. Vicars with a strength of 32 officers and 972 other ranks. In England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 24th Reserve Battalion, with Haddock being transferred in the rank of Lieutenant to "D" Company, 52nd Infantry Battalion "New Ontario Regiment" as a reinforcement. Lieutenant William Walter Haddock was awarded the Military Cross, the citation dated October 12, 1919, for actions he took on September 28, 1918 during the attack on the Marcoing line, west of Cambrai. The announcement for the award appearing in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 31266 of Tuesday, April 1, 1919, on Wednesday, April 2, 1919, page 4335 and his citation appearing in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 31680, of Tuesday, December 9, 1919, on Wednesday, December 10, 1919, page 15384: "On 28th September, 1918, west of Cambrai, he behaved with great skill and gallantry in the attack on the Marcoing line, west of Cambrai. When his company commander was killed, besides those of two other companies, he took command and made a reorganisation of three companies under very heavy fire. While leading the attack he received a serious wound. His conduct throughout was a fine example to those with him". Haddock survived the war and for his First World War service, was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. A total of thirty-five Military Crosses, six bars to the MC and two second bars to MC, were awarded to members of the 52nd Infantry Battalion for actions while serving with the unit.