rosary
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19930133-001
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Event
1914-1919 First World War
1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge - Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer --
- Date Made --
- Place of Use Continent - Europe, Country - FranceContinent - Europe, Country - France, Continent - North America, Country - Canada
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Ceremonial artifact
- Department Dress and Insignia
- Museum CWM
- Inscription (reverse/verso) BETHLEHEM
- Materials Wood, Aluminum
- Service Component Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Unit 73rd Canadian Infantry Battalion
- Measurements Length 46.0 cm, Width 2.5 cm
- Caption Rosary
- Additional Information John B. Whitton of the 73rd Battalion received a serious head wound from shrapnel while scouting German positions in No Man's Land near Vimy Ridge. As Whitton was being carried to the rear, a Franciscan monk gave him this rosary. He survived the war and took the rosary back to Canada.
- Caption Rosary
- Additional Information Private John Bartholomew Whitton of the 73rd Battalion carried this rosary. Whitton was scouting German positions at Vimy Ridge when he was seriously wounded in the head by a shell. As Whitton was being transported to an aid station, a Franciscan monk handed him this rosary. Whitton returned to the front, and kept the rosary. He was wounded again at Amiens in August 1918, but left the hospital early to return to the front. He was one of the first ten soldiers to enter Mons on 11 November 1918.