Search the Collections | Canadian War Museum

Place of Use Continent - North America, Country - Canada
Category Communication artifacts
Sub-category Personal symbol
Department Arms and Technology
Museum CWM
Earliest 1918/01/31
Latest 1920/12/31
Inscription (obverse/avers): HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR THOMAS WESLEY; E.C.P.; 36; (reverse/verso): W
Materials Bronze
Service Component Canadian Expeditionary Force
Unit 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Person / Institution Subject, Wesley, Private Thomas
Measurements Thickness 0.5 cm, Outside Diameter 12.0 cm

Caption Medals Project- Wesley, Thomas
Additional Information
Thomas Wesley was born in St. Peters, Manitoba, on 10 February 1894.

A labourer, Wesley enlisted in the 108th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Selkirk) in Selkirk, Manitoba, on 31 December 1915. After initial training in Canada, he sailed for England with his unit on 24 July 1916, aboard SS Olympic. The battalion disembarked in Liverpool on 31 July 1916. Upon arrival in England, it provided reinforcements to Canadian units already in the field. As a result, Wesley was transferred to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion.

On 15 August 1917, during the Battle of Hill 70, the 16th Battalion successfully attacked and captured a number of German positions near Lens, France. It faced only sporadic, half-hearted resistance from the German troops that had survived the massive pre-assault barrage launched by the Canadian artillery. As a result, the battalion suffered few casualties.

That was not the case on 16 August 1917, when the battalion came under heavy shell fire for the most of the day as it attempted to consolidate its new position. The battalion suffered a number of casualties. Wesley was killed in action that day, and his body was lost.

Thomas Wesley is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on Vimy Ridge, in France.

memorial plaque