Canada, Dominion. A British War Medal and Memorial Cross Pair to Private Alfred Roussin, 78th Battalion, Vimy Ridge KIA

A pair of decorations to Private Alfred Roussin, 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), a Métis soldier who was killed in action on 9 April 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, including:

1. A British War Medal, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of King George V, circumscribed by name and title in Latin, the reverse bearing a raised depiction of St. George mounted on a horse, circumscribed by dates “1914-1918”, topped by a non-swivel suspension, the edge impressed “148374” and “PTE. A. ROUSSIN. 78-CAN. INF.”, measuring 36.35 mm in diameter, weighing 34.1 grams, demonstrating a consistent patina and minor edge nicks, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Memorial Cross, constructed of silver, consisting of a Greek Cross with its arms joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel leaf wreath, the obverse overlaid by an additional cross completing at the three, six, and nine o’clock arms in maple leaves and at the twelve o’clock arm in a royal crown, bearing a central royal monogram, topped by an integral loop and suspension ring, the reverse bearing engraved inscriptions of “148374” and “PTE. A. ROUSSIN”, also marked “STERLING”, measuring 31.50 mm (w) x 34.87 mm (h), weighing 12.8 grams, accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a gilt royal crown, the interior with a white satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a plain white velvet medal bed, unmarked, measuring 65 mm (w) x 85 mm (l) x 20 mm (h), also accommodating a small Catholic devotional medal, constructed of silver, one side depicting a raised image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the reverse depicting the Madonna and Christ Child, unmarked, measuring 12.95 mm in diameter, the Memorial Cross demonstrating some surface scratching and is missing its ribbon, the interior of the presentation case demonstrates moderate soiling and material fatigue to both the lid liner and medal bed, and the Catholic medal is missing its suspension device, in overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Alfred Roussin was born on 13 February 1881 in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. He attested at Winnipeg on 5 November 1915, aged 34, and at the time was employed as a labourer and listed his next-of-kin as his mother, Rose Roussin. He served with the 78th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Winnipeg Grenadiers) and sailed for Europe on 20 May 1916. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Roussin participated in the fighting for Hill 145, and was initially reported as missing in action on the morning of 9 April 1917 in the vicinity of Souchez, and was later declared to have been killed in action. His remains were not located, and his name is memorialized on both the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, as well as the National Métis Veterans’ Memorial Monument in Batoche, Saskatchewan.