Canadian Memorial Cross

 

World War I.

 

Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.

 

 

The Canadian Memorial Cross, often referred to as the ‘Silver Cross For Mothers’, was instituted in December 1919 to commemorate the dead of the Great War. The cross was reinstituted in August 1940 for the Second World War. However, it is known that the first 5,000 Crosses issued for WWII were actually the ‘old’ WWI version.

 

The cross was issued to relatives of any member of the armed forces who lost their lives as a result of war service.

 

Originally worn around the neck, in January 1945, in consequence of a common practice of the recipients to have the cross privately mounted on a brooch the cross was officially modified to be worn in that style.

 

The cross was revived again in December 1950 for the Korean conflict and was eventually modified to include the current Queen’s Cypher (EIIR) - this is the version that is still issued today.

 

A major review of the criteria became effective on 1 January 2007, expanding eligibility to all service-related deaths and allowing the member to select up to three potential recipients of the cross. On 12 December 2008, these changes were made retrospective to 7 October 2001 (verses 1 January 2007) to ensure all deaths occurring since the beginning of the international campaign against terrorism would be treated in a similar fashion.

 

 

The cross is 32mm wide and is cast in silver, with arms slightly flared at the ends with a wreath of laurel leaves appearing between the arms of the cross.

 

The original (WWI) cross bore the cypher of King George V (GRI) the second cross (WWII) had the cypher of King George VI (GVIR) in the centre while the current version has the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth (EIIR) at the centre of a Greek cross superimposed on the main cross, with the Royal Crown at the end of the upper arm and maple leaves on the three remaining arms.

 

The reverse of the cross is plain. The service number, rank (at time of death), initials and surname of the person being commemorated are engraved on two lines in the centre. There is also a sterling mark on the lower arm.

 

 

 

The original cross was worn around the neck from a 750mm long, 11mm wide, purple ribbon. Purple stands for suffering and misery and traditionally was the stained-glassmaker's colour for black, expressing negation, mourning, and death.

 

The cross issued since 1945 is suspended by means of a loose ring linked to a fixed ring at the bottom of a brooch which is 32mm wide, in the form of the lateral arms of the cross.

 

 

None were authorised for this medal.

 

Further relevant historical context can be found at the foot of this entry.

 

 

 

* It should be noted that the values quoted above reflect the average price that a medal dealer may expect to sell this medal for - please see the ‘things you should know’ web page for more details about valuing medals.

 

** The individual medal value will vary considerably based on the recipient’s details.

 

 

This section contains information on:-

 

- Canadian Forces During World War I.

 

Canadian Forces During World War I - The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War.

 

The force fielded several combat formations in France and Flanders, the largest of which was the Canadian Corps, consisting of four divisions. The Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the Canadian Independent Force, which were independent of the Canadian Corps, also fought on the Western Front.

 

The CEF also had a large reserve and training organization in England, and a recruiting organization in Canada. In the later stages of the European war, particularly after their success at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, the Canadian Corps was regarded by friend and foe alike as the most effective Allied military formation on the Western Front.

 

The Germans went so far as to call them ‘storm troopers’ for their great combat efficiency. In August 1918, the CEF organized the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force, which reinforced the anti-Bolshevik garrison in Vladivostok during the winter of 1918–19.

 

This information was taken from ‘Wikipedia’. The original article and details of the authors can be found here. It is reproduced on this web-site under the ‘creative commons’ licence which can be found here.