Medals from S. Maj, William Byers  No. 77696

2nd Coy, 15th Battalion

Received unmounted.  Cleaned and mounted

1914-1915 Star

British War Medal 1919

Victory Medal 1919

William Byers was born on May 5, 1882 in Scotland.  Listed as a miner on his attestation papers, he signed up on Nov. 10, 1914 in Vancouver B.C. and was attached to the 30th Battalion, a reserve battalion sent overseas and used to replace men lost to front line units.

William was sent to the 15th Battalion after heavy losses at Ypres in April 1915.  He fought at Festubert in May 1915 and served with the unit at the front until September when, , for medical reasons he was returned to England.  Repeated treatments for a foot injury ( a horse fell onto and crushed his left foot) caused walking pains when marching.  It appears he was placed on general duties in England.  William was demobilized as medically unfit and sent home to Vancouver by August 2, 1918.