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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 75

(x) Three: Private M. Wabanoose, 52nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, who died of wounds sustained in action on 31 August 1917, shortly after the Battle for Hill 60 - he was a First Nations Canadian from Wiikwemkong on Manitoulin Island

British War and Victory Medals (754976 Pte. M. Wabanoose. 52-Can. Inf.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Michael Wabanoose), good very fine (3)

Michael Wabanoose was born on 5 July 1895 at Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island, Ontaria, son of Antoine Wabanosse. Today, these lands remain a reserve of First Nations Canadians and is occupied by Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples under the Council of Three Fires. A farmer by trade upon his joining the Canadian Forces in March 1916, his complexion was described as 'swarthy', he served initially with the 119th (Algoma) Battalion, who were based at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and took a number of the 'Manitoulin Boys' into their ranks. Sailing from Halifax on 8 August 1916, he joined the 52nd Battalion in the field in France on 4 December 1916. Wabanoose went into action in the Third Battle of Ypres and would have shared in the Battle for Hill 60. He was mortally wounded - with gunshot wounds to his arms and legs - on 26 August 1917, was admitted to 22nd Casualty Clearing Station but died on 31 August 1917. Wabanoose is buried in the Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320