A Canadian Machine Gunner's Military Medal Great War medal group of 4: Sergeant Patrick Harold Counahan, 2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps, late "D" Coy 20th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Expeditionary Force & "E" Coy 12th York Rangers

- Military Medal, GV first type (57815 Sjt P. H. Counahan. 2/Can: M.G.C.)
- 1914-15 Star (57815 Pte P. H. Counahan. 20/Can:Inf:)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (57815 Pte P. H. Counahan. 20/Can:Inf:)
- Interallied Victory Medal (57815 Pte P. H. Counahan. 20/Can:Inf:)

Military Medal: An award for 'France' for gallantry during 'Canada's 100 Days' campaign. The Battalion War Diary for the 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Corps, shows the award under recommendation date of 19 September 1918 - the award being included under Corps Order of 28 September 1918, and subsequently published in the London Gazette issue of 11 February 1919

Canada's 100 Days: During this time, the Canadian Corps fought as part of the British Fourth Army in the Battle of Amiens, then as part of the British First Army in the Second Battle of the Somme, Battle of the Scarpe, Battle of the Canal du Nord, Battle of Cambrai, Battle of the Selle, Battle of Valenciennes and finally at Mons, on the final day of combat before the Armistice of 11 November 1918. In terms of numbers, during those 96 days the Canadian Corps' four over-strength or "heavy" divisions totalling roughly 100,000 men, engaged and defeated or put to flight elements of 47 German divisions, which represented one quarter of the German forces faced by the Allied Powers fighting on the Western Front. However, their successes came at a heavy cost; Canadians suffered 20% of their battle-sustained casualties of the war during the same period. The Canadian Corps suffered 45,835 casualties during this offensive

Medals verification: All medals verified as entitled per the respective dates of service shown in the recipients 'Service Papers' (held and accessible a the National Archives of Canada). Cut and paste below link into google search for the respective service file:

- https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B2047-S052

Patrick Harold Counahan, the Canadian born son of Irish immigrants, Jeremiah 'Jerry' Counahan (employed as a railway 'Brakeman') and Hannah Counahan (nee Hill), was a native of Belleville, Ontario, Canada, where he was born on, 16 March 1893. At the time of the 1911 National Census for Canada, Patrick is recorded being employed as a railway 'Teamster. In 1911 he resided with his parents, 3 x siblings (2 x brothers & 1 sister), and a sister-in-law, at the family home located at, 153 Vine Street, Toronto. Patrick, already a serving pre-war 'Militiaman' with the 12th York Rangers (which unit he had served in for 5 and a half years), voluntarily enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, at Toronto, Ontario, on, 12 November 1914, on which date he was posted to the 20th 'Overseas' Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Expeditionary Force. He embarked for overseas service with his battalion, on, 15 May 1915, disembarking 9 x days later at destination England, on, 24 May 1915. Patrick entered theatre of war 'France' on, 14 September 1915, when he disembarked at the French port of Boulogne. Patrick subsequently requested a transfer of unit, to join the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, being transferred to 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, Machine Gun Company on, 25 December 1915. On 3 March 1918, Patrick joined the 2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps. Promotions included: Corporal, 1 April 1918; Sergeant, 6 July 1918. Patrick returned to his native Canada, and took his discharge from the Canadian Army at Toronto, on, 25 May 1919. Patrick Harold Counahan is recorded as having died at, Toronto, Ontario, on, 30 September 1966

The reverse of the silk moire ribands partially soiled, having been removed from a contemporary glazed frame

Condition: Silver medals toned GVF

Code: 23636