Military Medal recipients casualty Victory Medal awarded to Lieutenant H. Dibble, 19th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Infantry who saw service on the Western Front being awarded a Military Medal in the London Gazette of 2nd November 1917 for repulsing an enemy attack which had gained a foothold in the trenches of an adjoining unit. He organised a bombing party and acted as the first bayonet men in the resultant attack. It was mainly through his initiative and effort that the enemy was promptly driven out and severe casualties inflicted. Later commissioned, he would be killed in action on 8th August 1918, and is now buried in Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Brettoneux.
Victory Medal; (LIEUT. H. DIBBLE.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Harry Dibble from Toronto initially enlisted into the 180th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Infantry, before travelling to the Western Front and seeing service with the 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He would be awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 2nd November 1917 the original recommendation reading:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After a part of the enemy had succeeded in gaining a footing in the trenches of an adjoining unit he rendered prompt assistance in organising a bombing party. He handled the situation with great coolness, and in the attack acted as first bayonet man. It was mainly through his initiative and effort that the enemy was promptly driven out and severe casualties inflicted. He immediately commenced the work of consolidating the recently recaptured line and throughout set a splendid example.’
Dibble would subsequently be commissioned into the 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry and would be killed in action on 8th August 1918 – the first day of the 100 days offensive that led to the end of the war. He is now buried in Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux.
