A well-documented Canadian Second World War North West Europe group awarded to Private H.J. Desmarais, Montreal Regiment, later Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers and Fusiliers Mont-Royal, a French Canadian from Verdun, Quebec who saw overseas service in North West Europe during the Second World War being discharged on 20th November 1945 having seen 1206 days total service and 863 days service overseas.
Group of 5: 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal 1939-1945, with Maple Leaf clasp; War Medal 39-45, the last three medals Canadian silver issue. Loose-mounted for wear.
Condition: loose-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
Along with:
Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers cap badge
Pair of Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers shoulder titles, one of these well worn.
Ribbon bar for 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Maple Leaf emblem
Fusiliers Mont Royal cap badge
Pair of Fusiliers Mont Royal shoulder title, one of these well worn.
Canadian Garrison Regiment cap badge.
Department of National Defence certificate for entitlement to wear a War Service Badge
Canadian Government Minister of Defence note expressing gratitude for his service in French
Department of National Service Statement of War Service Gratuity listing Henri John Desmarais as having served 1206 days total qualifying service and 863 days overseas service
Operation Overlord D-Day 50 Years Anniversary cloth patch
Rules for wear for medals and decorations written in French
Royal Montreal Regiment postcard, written on the back ‘Dear Frank, Mabel, this little card tells the history of our regiment in the last war , we all hope to make ita better one in this war if you can call it a war all they do is bomb hospitals and houses maybe things will change soon we all hope so
Christmas Card dated 1941 and noted inside ‘somewhere in England Nov.5.41. D77213 Pte Desmarais (B. Coy), the Royal Montreal Regiment (M.G.) Canadian Army overseas.’ – ‘Hell Henry & Mabel just a card wishing you both all the best for the New Year I got a letter from Joe last night and got he said he got a letter form you to sent it to me it ok if you here from Frantic let me know, a merry Xmas.
Undated Christmas Card – 1st Battalion, Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal C.A.
Card wishing a happy new year dated 1943.
Victory Handbook in Dutch and English with useful Dutch phrases
Montreal Young Women’s Christian Association Senior Health Education Membership to Desmarais’ wife.
2 Montreal General Hospital out-patient department cards to Mrs Henry Desmarais
16 One Cent Purchasers Cash Bond for the H.B. Fabien pharmacist and druggist in Wellington Street, Verdun, Canada
Stamp book containing eight 7 ½ cent stamps.
Licence for a Private Receiving Station dated 1942-1943 to Mrs Mabel Desmarais, 724 2nd Avenue, Verdun, Quebec.
Licence for a Private Receiving Station dated 1943-1944 to Mrs M. Desmarais 724 – 2nd Avenue, Verdun, Quebec.
Two Prisoner of War postcards dated 1943-1944 written to a resident in Paris. These have not been written by Henri and the name appears unclear although the recipient appears to be a Nadine Kouyoumdjian.
Six small original photographs the reverse of one indicating that it is of Henri in Aurich, Germany.
Newspaper article dated 7th November (probably 1953 but year unconfirmed) 'Les Fusiliers' Drums Finally Coming Home' - Regimental Instruments recovered from Hiding spot in Farm Cellar. detailing how the Regiment's drums that had been hidden in a cellar in Normandy during a German bombardment and had stayed there for 9 years were to be returned
Henri John Desmarais saw active service as a Private (No. D166148) with the Royal Montreal Regiment (Machine Guns) and the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War where he would be present in the Canadian Army’s participation in the fighting in France and North West Europe. He would be discharged on 20th November 1945 having seen 1206 days total qualifying service and 863 days of qualifying overseas service
