Canada. A Group To The 15Th Canadian Battalion, Wounded At Mont Sorrel

1914-15 Star (46587 SGT. W.J. KIRKBRIDE 15TH BN. CAN. INF.); British War Medal (46587 SGT. W.J. KIRKBRIDE. 15-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (46587 SGT. W.J. KIRKBRIDE. 15-CAN.INF.). Naming is period engraved on the Star, the BWM and VM are officially impressed. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, the ribbons on the BWM and VM swapped, dark patina and edge nicks on the BWM, spotting on the VM, better than very fine.

Footnote: William Joseph Kirkbride was born on March 4, 1895 in Hensford, England. He enlisted at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on May 27, 1915 and signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (46587) with the 37th Infantry Battalion, on May 31, 1915 at Niagara Camp, at the age of 20, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. J. Kirkbride of Sault Ste. Marie (which was later changed to his war bride wife, Mrs. Dorothy Francis Matilda Kirkbride of Sandown, Isle of Wight, England), stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Bridgeman (Iron Worker). The Battalion was raised in Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Niagara Falls, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The Battalion sailed June 10, 1915 aboard the S.S. Hesperian, and upon arrival in England, Kirkbride was transferred to the 17th Infantry Battalion, on June 20, 1915. After extensive training in England, he was transferred to the 15th Infantry Battalion on September 6, 1915 for service in the French theatre, taken on strength at the General Base Depot in France on September 7th and joined his new unit in the field on the 18th. Nine months after joining the 15th Infantry Battalion, Private Kirkbride suffered a slight gun shot (shrapnel) wound to his right leg, on June 17, 1916. He was admitted to No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station, then transferred to No. 13 Stationary Hospital at Boulogne the same day. Five days after his wounding, he was transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on the 22nd, where he would recuperate for the next two months, before being released to Base Details on August 22nd and posted to the Canadian Base Depot on August 26th. Private Kirkbride left for the 15th Infantry Battalion in the field, on October 16, 1916, joining them that day. Early in 1917, he was posted for instruction to the Divisional Grenade School on February 13th. Private Kirkbride was promoted to Corporal on April 14, 1917, followed by his promotion to Sergeant on June 13, 1917. Fourteen months after his first wounding, Sergeant Kirkbride was wounded again, this time suffering a gun shot (shrapnel) wound to his right knee. He was subsequently admitted to No. 11 General Hospital at Camiers on August 16, 1917 and five days later, was invalided to England, where he was admitted to Alexandra Hospital at Cosham on August 21st and posted to the 1st Central Ontario Regimental Depot. Nine days after arriving at Cosham, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom on August 30th, for recuperation for the next nine weeks. It was here that the attending physician noted that Kirkbride had "No disability now. He had some stiffness in (the) leg and would not fully extend", with Kirkbride being discharged on November 2nd. He was struck off strength to the 5th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling on the 2nd and was transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion on February 15, 1918. His medical condition regarding his knee was reviewed nine months after his wounding. In a Proceedings of a Medical Board held at St. Martins Plain Camp at Shorncliffe, 1st Canadian Command Depot, on May 13, 1918, the attending physician noted that Kirkbridewas "In France (for) 23 months with (the) 15th Battalion. Evacuated 21-7-17 (July 21, 1917) with G.S.W. (gun shot wound) to Knee (Right). In hospital about 4 months. Movements of (the) knee (is) limited. He has full power of flexion but extension is limited. 5 degrees. His knee is bent when standing at attention. He complains of pain in (the) knee when marching, and has fallen out of route marches. His general condition is good. Heart and lungs normal. Can march 5miles and carry a pack." Kirkbride was granted permission to marry Dorothy Francis Matilda Kirkbride on July 4, 1918. He was attached to No. 1 Canadian Discharge Depot at Buxton for return to Canada, on October 11, 1918 and arrived in Canada at St. John, New Brunswick, aboard the S.S. Metagawa. He was taken on strength at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario on November 22, 1918 and posted to the Casualty Company at Park School Barracks on November 30, 1918. His medical condition was reassessed at Park School Barracks, on December 17, 1918, the attending physician stating that Kirkbride had "Partial loss of (the) junction of (the) right knee.", that his "Right knee flexes full but still only extends to 5 degrees of normal, cannot be forcibly extended over this. Tilting of (the) pelvis 15 degrees due to lack of extension. No tenderness about the joint. Flex of tendons of knee apparently shortened. Walks with a limp. On being on (his) feet all day, (the) knee joint is painful at night. Change in (the) weather makes (the) knee painful. Not able to walk as fast as usual on account of (the) limp." The doctor again stated the nature of the injury, noting that Kirkbride had been "wounded in France in August 1917" by a "shrapnel ball in (his) right knee which passed through (the) popliteal space (AKA kneepit). Leg was flexed when (he was) wounded and (it) was left in this position for 15 days when (the) leg was put on (the) back splint but refused to completely extend. Has had electrical treatment and massage for 8 weeks and remedial gymnastics for 6 weeks." The doctor recommended that he be declared Category "C", for Home Service in Canada only. One week after his medical examination, Sergeant William Joseph Kirkbride was discharged as "having been found Medically Unfit", at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, on December 24, 1918, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, and was issued a "Gold Stripe" for two wounds. For his First War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.