Military Cross GVR in case of issue; British War Medal (LIEUT. D.W. CANHAM.); Victory Medal (LIEUT. D.W. CANHAM.) - with corresponding miniatures mounted for wear.
Wilfred David Canham was born in Norwich in 1896. Having been educated at Norwich School and Magdalene College Cambridge, where he earned a Master of Arts (MA), he became a schoolmaster at Warwick School. When war broke out he was appointed a T/2Lt with the 10th battalion Norfolks on 14/08/1915, transferring to the 179 Coy, Machine Gun Corps on 29/01/1916. He was promoted to T/Lt on 1/3/1917. He was posted to France on 25/6/1916 and transferred to Salonika from Nov 1916 - May 1917. He was with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force for the remainder of the war. being Wounded in his left thigh at Beersheba on 31/10/1917. The war over, he was demobilised on 17.2/1919. App.
He was appointed Cadet Captain of the 5/7 Hants. Cadet Bn in December 1924. His MC was confirmed in War Diary 60 Bn (179 Coy) 20/5/1918 - presented to him by Maj Gen JSM Shea CB on 29/5/1918 The confirmation of his Wounding is contained in the war diary 30/10/1917. On 29/5/1931 he was appointed Headmaster of Barnstaple Grammar School. He died in London after an operation on 25 November 1935 at the age of 38.
Awarded MC for Gallantry: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. He brought his sub section of machine guns into action under rifle and machine gun fire and enabled the infantry to advance and capture a strong point. Later, he went out several times and brought in wounded under fire. Throughout the operations he engaged numerous hostile targets with his guns and materially assisted each advance of the infantry. He set a fine example to his men.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with copied research
