Canada, Cef. A British War Medal, 249Th Infantry Battalion, 1St Canadian Mounted Rifles

1069426 PTE. W. MC CASLIN. 1-C.M.R.). Naming is officially impressed. Bruised, light contact, original ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: Walton McCaslin was born on April 29, 1898 in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Abram and Cecilia McCaslin (later of Meyronne, Saskatchewan). He was a resident of Cactus, Saskatchewan when he signed his Attestation as a Private (1069426) with the 249th Infantry Battalion, on November 15, 1916 in Meyronne, Saskatchewan, at the age of 18, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Abram (noted as Abraham) McCaslin of Cactus, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married, that his religion was Methodist and that his trade was that of Farmer. The Battalion was raised in Saskatchewan with mobilization headquarters at Regina under the authority of G.O. 48, May 1, 1917. The Battalion sailed February 21, 1918 aboard the S.S. Megantic, then finished his journey from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the HMT Saxonia, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel C.B. Keenlyside with a strength of 15 officers and 709 other ranks, arriving in Liverpool, England on March 4th. Upon arrival in England, the Battalion was taken on strength of the 15th Reserve Battalion at Bramshott. While in England, he had been promoted to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal but reverted to the rank of Private on March 16, 1918. He was posted to the 17th Reserve Battalion from May 6 to July 17, 1918, before proceeding overseas for service with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles on July 17, 1918. Upon arrival in France, he joined them in the field on the 19th. One month later, he briefly attended the Canadian Corps Signals School for one month, from August 21st to September 22nd, and was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on November 15th. In the new year, upon the ceasing of hostilities, the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles proceeded to England on February 12, 1919. Private McCaslin was struck off strength to Canada, embarking from Liverpool aboard the RMS Baltic on March 12, 1919, arriving in Canada shortly thereafter. Private Walton McCaslin was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Station "N", Military District No. 10 in Brandon, Manitoba, on March 25, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 73049. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He died on December 17, 1921, his "Death due to service", although his records do not indicate as to what this was attributed to. His mother, Cecilia McCaslin, received his Memorial Cross and his father, Abram McCaslin, received his Memorial Plaque and Scroll. His British War Medal and Victory Medal were initially slated to be forwarded to his mother, but that was changed to his brother, Alex McCaslin. All three were residing in Meyronne, Saskatchewan.