Memorial Cross, Memorial Cross GR V
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19750140-004
- Event 1914-1919 First World War
- Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer --
- Date Made 1919
- Place of Use Continent - North America, Country - Canada
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Personal symbol
- Department Arms and Technology
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1919/12/01
- Latest 1919/12/31
- Inscription 887818 PTE L. GARDINER.
- Support loose
- Materials Sterling silver
- Rank Private
- Service Component Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Unit 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion
- Person / Institution Subject, Gardiner, Private Leo
- Measurements Length 3.8 cm, Width 3.1 cm, Thickness 0.2 cm
- Caption Leo GARDINER
- Additional Information Born in Saskatoon in 1895, Gardiner enlisted in 1915 with the 188th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). After he arrived in the United Kingdom in April 1917, he proceeded to the 5th Battalion in November and was awarded a Good Conduct Badge in the field the following month. Hospitalised in early May 1918, he died within three weeks from cerebrospinal fever.
- Caption Medals Project- Gardiner, Leo
-
Additional Information
Leo Gardiner was born in Battleford, Saskatchewan, on 15 November 1896.
A labourer, he enlisted in the 232nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Saskatchewan) on 20 December 1915 in his hometown. After initial training in Canada, he sailed to England on SS Northland. Upon arrival, on 29 April 1917, Gardiner was assigned to the 15th Reserve Battalion. On 24 November 1917, he was transferred to the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Western Cavalry) as a reinforcement. He joined his new unit in France on 8 December 1917.
Reported sick with trench fever, Gardiner was sent behind the lines for treatment on 5 May 1918. Since his condition was judged serious, on 14 May he was evacuated to Frensham Hill Military Hospital, in Surrey, England, where he was diagnosed as suffering from spinal meningitis as well as trench fever. As a result, he was transferred to the Military Isolation Hospital in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, on 17 May 1918. Gardiner died at the hospital seven days later, on 24 May 1918.
Leo Gardiner is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery, in England.