Canada. A Pair To Sergeant Walter James Mckay, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force

Canada; British War Medal (2776059 SJT. W.J. MC KAY. C.S.E.F.); and Victory Medal (2776059 SJT. W.J. MC KAY. C.S.E.F.). Naming is officially impressed. Mounted to a suspension with pinback, original ribbons, dark patina on the BWM, bruising on the VM, very light contact, near extremely fine.

 

Footnote: Walter James McKay was born on November 17, 1892 in London, Middlesex, England. He was resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Lance Corporal (2776059) with No. 10 Detachment, Canadian Ordnance Corps in Winnipeg, on September 25, 1918, at the age of 25, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Laura McKay of Highbury, London, England, stating that he had three years and four months previous service with the Canadian Ordnance Corps Permanent Force, that he was not married, that his religion was Baptist and that his trade was that of Clerk. He was named Acting Corporal on October 1, 1918. McKay was transferred to the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Siberia, embarking Canada aboard the Empress of Japan on October 11, 1918, arriving in Vladivostok, Siberia on October 26th. Six days after arriving in Siberia, he was promoted to Sergeant on December 1, 1918 and attached to No. 9 Detachment, Canadian Ordnance Corps. Two and a half months later, Sergeant McKay was taken on strength as a Clerk at Force Headquarters for rations and quantities on February 15, 1919 and placed on command at Gournasti Barracks in Vladivostock. He ceased to be attached to No. 9 Detachment, Canadian Ordnance Corps on April 27, 1919 and was never hospitalized during his posting in Siberia. He was evacuated to Canada, embarking Siberia aboard the S.S. Monteagle on June 5, 1919, arriving in Canada on June 19th. Sergeant Walter James McKay was discharged upon demobilization at No. 10 Military District in Winnipeg, on July 31, 1919, credited with having served in Canada and Siberia. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. In his Will, dated October 9, 1918, Sergeant McKay bequeathed all his personal estate to his mother, Mrs. Laura McKay, but of course the Will was never executed.