Canada, Cef. An Efficiency Medal Group, Queen's Own Rifles Of Canada

British War Medal (1096172 SPR. D. SARDELLA. C.E.); Victory Medal (1096172 SPR. D. SARDELLA. C.E.); and Efficiency Medal with Canada scroll, George V ( A/CPL. D. SARDELLA Q.O.R. OF C.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, gilt wear on the VM, contact marks on all three, original ribbons, very fine.

Footnote: Dominico Sardella was born on February 10, 1879 in Naples, Italy, the son of Carew Sardella of Naples (his mother's name was not stated in his records, as she was deceased). He was a resident of Toronto when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (1096172) with the 255th Infantry Battalion "Queen's Own Rifles", on February 12, 1917 in Toronto, at the age of 38, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Annie Sardella of Toronto, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Married, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Munition Worker, with a heading added on the paper noting "This man holds naturalization papers in order." As of May 10, 1917, he and his wife had five children, all daughters: Angeline age 11, Rosie age 9, Mary age 8, Marguerita age 5, and Carren age 3. The 255th Infantry Battalion was raised in Central Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Toronto under the authority of G.O. 48, May 1, 1917. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the S.S. Olympic, on June 2, 1917 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G.C. Royce with a strength of 13 officers and 284 other ranks, arriving in England on the 9th. Upon arrival in England, he was transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling on June 10th.

After five months training and orientation in England, Private Sardella received his orders to proceed overseas for service in the French theatre, and was subsequently transferred to the 124th Infantry Battalion at East Sandling on November 9, 1917. Upon arrival in France, he was dispatched to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Centre on November 13th, leaving for the 124th Infantry Battalion in the field on the 20th, and joining them on the 24th. He was admitted to No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance on December 29, 1917 with "P.U.O." (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin = fever) and would remain there for the next eight days, before returning to duty on January 6, 1918. Three months after his release from hospital, Private Sardella was sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment No. 1 on April 2, 1918, for "Conduct to the prejudice of good order, etc., in that he left a working party without permission". Field Punishment No. 1 consisted of the convicted man being placed in fetters and handcuffs or similar restraints and attached to a fixed object, such as a gun wheel or a fence post, for up to two hours per day. During the early part of the First World War, the punishment was often applied with the arms stretched out and the legs tied together, giving rise to the nickname "crucifixion". He soon found out that his services were needed elsewhere, as he was transferred from the 124th Infantry Battalion to the 12th Battalion, Canadian Engineers as a Sapper, on May 30, 1918. Four weeks after the ceasing of hostilities, he was admitted to No. 7 Stationary Hospital at Camiers on December 6, 1918, where he was diagnosed with "V.D.G." (venereal disease, gonorrhea). After five weeks treatment, he was discharged from hospitalization on January 10, 1919. In addition, he forfeited his field allowance while in hospital. He was posted to Rouen when he was struck off strength to England, where he was posted to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot at Seaford on January 24, 1919. Two months after arriving in England, he was posted to "D" Wing at the Canadian Corps Camp at Kinmel Park, Rhyl, North Wales for return to Canada, on March 19th. He embarked Liverpool aboard HMT Caronia on March 29, 1919, arriving in Halifax on April 5th. Sapper Dominico Sardella, Canadian Engineers was discharged upon demobilization at No. 1 District Depot in Toronto, on April 8, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 148614. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was later awarded the Efficiency Medal while serving with the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. He died on October 28, 1952, at the age of 73.