Gold Maple Leaf for Bravery

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by David Winterbottom, Aug 13, 2012.

  1. David Winterbottom

    David Winterbottom Junior Member

    Hi all

    I am trying to help a friend with regard to his grandfather who he believes served in the forces during World War Two. His name was James Allred Schofield and is believed to have died in a mining accident in his early 30s in 1946/47. The British Legion buried him at Peel Church Little Hulton Manchesterand the information he has from his late mother said he was buried wearing the "Gold Maple Leaf for Bravery".

    I assume the Gold Maple Leaf has Canadian Connections and am hoping this may yield a clue as to what unit(s) he served with.

    Any help or ideas much appreciated.
     
  2. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    David,

    Unless someone else comes along with more information, I have never heard of the Gold Maple Leaf.
    If indeed J.A. Schofield served with the Canadian forces, his war records should be available through Library and Archives Canada.
    Good luck with your research.
     
  3. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    David -

    My only recollection of anyone being awarded a (silver) Maple Leaf was the members of 25th Tank Bde - (Gerry Chester's Mob) for their action in support of the 2nd bde of the 1st Canadian Division in the Diadem battles in the Liri valley - whereas the 21st Tank Bde were awarded the RED patch of the 1st Division for the actions at the Gothic Line..so try 25th Brigade
    Cheers
     
  4. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    I've also never heard of such an award. For the most part, the 'Canadianization' of awards with maple leafs, etc. did not occur until well after the war, so WW II awards would tend to be very similar to British. I have a reference of all WW II awards to Canadians, so can make a check for his name.

    The one exception to the above that comes to mind is the silver maple leaf clasp that was attached to the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, indicating overseas service. This was worn as a silver maple leaf 'pin' on the CVSM ribbon when worn without full medals. This was not a gallantry award. See here for more:

    Canadian Volunteer Service Medal - Veterans Affairs Canada
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Klambie
    the other exemption is the award to 25th tank bde around the time of Rome being liberated in June of 1944 - Gerry will be along shortly with verse and chapter of that award in the correspondence of Tommy Burns the Corp Commander and Brig Tetley of 25th Tanks - it's all in Gerry's NIH website
    Cheers
     
  6. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    Interesting info Tom. I had been thinking in terms of Canadian service, but with your info and a re-read of the original post, that may be a bad assumption.
     
  7. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Klambie - it happens -

    another sign is a fellow member who sports the Black Diablo of an Army Tank Regiment with the maple leaf at the top end - forgotten his name but ives in the midlands somewhere and o[purports to be associated with 25th tank bde

    Cheers
     
  8. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Tom,

    I believe this is what you are referring to but it is silver, not gold:

    Hitler Line
    May 23rd 1944

    The day after the battle, for their part, 25th Tank Brigade, of which the North Irish Horse was the senior unit, was awarded the Maple Leaf of Canada, a silver replica of which was worn on uniform sleeves. About a week later it was agreed that the Brigade would add the Maple Leaf to its insignia and 5th Canadian Tank Brigade would wear 25th TB's insignia on its tanks.

    The North Irish Horse (the senior unit of 25th Tank Brigade) was entitled to wear the Maple Leaf. Although not a personal honour, the small silver Maple Leaf, that was worn on the right arm below the NIH shoulder flash, was a source of great pride to all those who fought in the battle on 23rd May, 1944.

    mapleleaf-2.jpg
     
  9. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Canuck

    I did make mention that the Maple leaf awarded to 25th Tank bde was SILVER as opposed to Gold as the NIH did rub it in a bit when we got the RED patch of 1st Division
    see posting #3
    Cheers
     
  10. David Winterbottom

    David Winterbottom Junior Member

    Many thanks one and all for your excellent help, I will persue this further perhaps with local papers detailing the mining accident in which he sadly died shortly after hostilities ceased.
     

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