Silver Greek cross with out-turned tips to the arms, the ends concave, with laurel wreath between the arms, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a bevelled Greek cross imposed bearing the cipher ‘GRI’ of King and Emperor George V, the royal crown on the upper arm, the other three arms bearing a maple leaf; the reverse plain, engraved with the attribution ‘20449 PTE. H. BAIRD’ and silver hallmarked ‘STERLING ®’ at the base; age-toned; on replaced correct ribbon. The Canadian government proposed in March 1919 an award to commemorate those members of Canada’s armed forces who lost their lives during or as a consequence of World War I, to be awarded to the mothers and widows of the fallen. It was duly authorised by Order in Council on 1 December 1919. Private Hugh Baird was born at Auchenheath, Lanarkshire, Scotland on 7 September 1883. He lived with his family at Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire and worked as a miner until the early years of the 20th Century when he emigrated to Canada. He joined 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles), a regiment of the Canadian non-permanent militia based at Calgary and subsequently the Alberta Regiment, 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on 23rd September 1914. He served for almost the whole of World War I but died of disease at Lesmahagow on 4 July 1918 and is buried in the town cemetery. Sold with proof of entitlement and a copy of his attestation paper.
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