Latest Medal Group...
Purchased this very interesting group over the weekend - at the tri-annual Toronto show. What stands out for many people who have seen this already is the fact that the recipient has two campaign stars (Italy and France & Germany) yet lacks the 1939-45 Star (something that is not often seen)...but I will explain.
Lyle Orval Duval enlisted in the RCAF in late 1943. He was training, in Canada, as air crew and held the rank of Aircraftsman 2nd Class. However he took his discharge from the RCAF February 1944 and remustered as B-800032 Pte L.O. Duval, Canadian Army. After a period of training he was sent to the UK in December 1944 and after further training he was taken on strength of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. On 7 February 1945 Duval arrived in Italy to join his new comrades in the H&PER - he thus qualified for the Italy Star and started the 6-month clock for qualification for the 39-45 Star. However, the 1st Cdn Div was on the move - and Duval with it. On 12 March 45 he arrived in France, and from there the 1st Brigade went on to Holland where they saw some very tough fighting.
With the war in Europe finally over - soldiers were being sent home. Duval, now a Lance-Corporal was struck of the strength of the H&PER in the field on 16 July 1945 and was struck off the strength of the Canadian Army Overseas on 6 August 1945... 1 Day before he qualifed for the 1939-45 Star. In reality - he probably stopped qualifying for the Star when he left the Continent for the UK, but even so that would mean he only missed it by 2 weeks!
Duval was honourably discharged in May of 1946 and returned to civilian life. He volunteered again in August of 1950 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment (which, ironically, had made up part of the 1st Infantry Brigade during WW2, along with the H&PER and the 48th Highlanders of Canada).
2 RCR was sent to Korea in May of 1951 and over the next year would see quite a bit of hard fighting. Duval was wounded (GSW) in July 1951, but remained on duty. He returned home, along with the rest of his unit in May 1952 and received his final discharge in August of that year.
Anyway - a nice acquisition for my collection of Korean War groups to the RCR - and one with a fascinating story behind the medals...and more to the point...behind the medals that aren't there!
Lyle Orval Duval enlisted in the RCAF in late 1943. He was training, in Canada, as air crew and held the rank of Aircraftsman 2nd Class. However he took his discharge from the RCAF February 1944 and remustered as B-800032 Pte L.O. Duval, Canadian Army. After a period of training he was sent to the UK in December 1944 and after further training he was taken on strength of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. On 7 February 1945 Duval arrived in Italy to join his new comrades in the H&PER - he thus qualified for the Italy Star and started the 6-month clock for qualification for the 39-45 Star. However, the 1st Cdn Div was on the move - and Duval with it. On 12 March 45 he arrived in France, and from there the 1st Brigade went on to Holland where they saw some very tough fighting.
With the war in Europe finally over - soldiers were being sent home. Duval, now a Lance-Corporal was struck of the strength of the H&PER in the field on 16 July 1945 and was struck off the strength of the Canadian Army Overseas on 6 August 1945... 1 Day before he qualifed for the 1939-45 Star. In reality - he probably stopped qualifying for the Star when he left the Continent for the UK, but even so that would mean he only missed it by 2 weeks!
Duval was honourably discharged in May of 1946 and returned to civilian life. He volunteered again in August of 1950 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment (which, ironically, had made up part of the 1st Infantry Brigade during WW2, along with the H&PER and the 48th Highlanders of Canada).
2 RCR was sent to Korea in May of 1951 and over the next year would see quite a bit of hard fighting. Duval was wounded (GSW) in July 1951, but remained on duty. He returned home, along with the rest of his unit in May 1952 and received his final discharge in August of that year.
Anyway - a nice acquisition for my collection of Korean War groups to the RCR - and one with a fascinating story behind the medals...and more to the point...behind the medals that aren't there!
Cheers, Torsten.
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