Canada. A Memorial Plaque, 21St Infantry Battalion, Kia At Vimy Ridge

(DANIEL O'DONOVAN). In bronze, the naming in raised capital letters, obverse designer marked "E.Cr.P.", reverse maker marked "WA" (Royal Arsenal, Woolwich: identified by a circle containing the initials "WA" with the "A" being formed by a bar between the two upward strokes of the "W"), measuring 120.5 mm in diameter, exhibiting spotting, along with its original brown cardboard container, near extremely fine.

Accompanied by a rare First War Canadian Expeditionary Forces Patriotic Fund Pin in bronze, maker marked "T.P. TANSEY MONTREAL" on the reverse, measuring 23.2 mm (w) x 27.7 mm (h), with horizontal pinback, along with assorted research papers.

Footnote: Daniel O'Donovan was born on July 10, 1883 in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, the son of John O'Donovan and Mary Ann O'Donovan. The family later immigrated to Canada and settled in Carleton Place, Ontario. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (59755) on November 6, 1914 with the 21st Infantry Battalion, in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 31, having previously enlisted at Carleton Place on October 19th, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. J.M. O'Donovan of Carleton Place, stating that he was with an Active Militia, that he was not married, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Fireman. The Battalion was raised in Eastern Ontario and mobilized in Kingston, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 36, March 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed May 6, 1915 from Montreal, Quebec aboard the HMS Metagama, with a strength of 42 officers and 1,057 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. St. P. Hughes, arriving in England on the 15th. The Battalion would serve in France and Belgium with the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. The 21st Infantry Battalion departed for France on September 24, 1915, including Private O'Donovan, arriving in the French theatre that day. He was sentenced on November 20, 1915 to Field Punishment No. 2, having been Absent Without Leave, the punishment involving the sentenced soldier being placed in fetters and handcuffs but was not attached to a fixed object. He was a continuing disciplinary problem, as he had been declared AWOL on July 8, 1915 and refused to go into the trenches on February 29, 1916. He was sent back to England on June 10, 1916, where he was sentenced to D.C.M. and six months' detention. His sentence was altered to dictate that he be sent back to France, on September 11, 1916. 59755 Private Daniel O'Donovan, 21st Infantry Battalion was Killed in Action on April 9, 1917, at the age of 33, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He is buried in Nine Elms Military Cemetery in Thelus, France, Grave IV. C. 5. and is commemorated on the War Memorial in Carleton Place. In addition, he is remembered with honour on page 303 in the First World War Book of Remembrance. His mother, Mary Ann O'Donovan, received his Medals and Decorations, his Memorial Plaque and Scroll, along with his Memorial Cross.