1917 compass and where did the owner serve ?

[Gspragge]

I came across this perfect 1917 compass today. The last name and initials of the service member are on it.
Clarence Peter Haliday was discharged from the Canadian forces in 1916 so he could take a commision in the
Imperial (British) Army. I was helped here once before with a pair of binnoculars whose owner also did the same thing.
So if some one could find him I would be quite grateful.

 

[Snufkin]

Halliday became a lieutenant in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, entering the French theatre 9th March 1917, as per his Medal Index Card below (courtesy Ancestry.co.uk). Officers had to apply for their campaign medals, unlike ORs and NCOs, and he left his application for the War and Victory pair fairly late - May 1928.

 

[Gspragge]

That's Great; Thankyou ~

 

[Snufkin]

From the War Office pamphlet "Notes on Map Reading", the description of the MkVIII Prismatic Compass might be of interest.

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

See:

Life story: Clarence Peter Halliday | Lives of the First World War

livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk

Lieutenant Clarence Peter HALLIDAY The King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry). | The National Archives

The official archive of the UK government. Our vision is to lead and transform information management, guarantee the survival of today's information for tomorrow and bring history to life for everyone.

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Soldier – Bruce Remembers

Clarence Halliday Individual Records - Ancestry®

Clarence Halliday historical records. Discover people, photos & family trees related to Clarence Halliday - Ancestry®

www.ancestry.com

Collection search

Application Description

recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca

Died 10th March 1969 in Cobourg, Northumberland, Ontario. I simply typed in his name into Google and came up with those references. You would be able to view Ancestry for free in a public library. Try also Findmypast, also for free at a public library. If Canadian records (the fifth reference above) are anything like New Zealand records you may be able to download a file from their government site for free.

Seems like he also wrote a book:

https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/a-halliday-family-tree-9781014733467?srsltid=AfmBOooP_KqDrGydbB638bjFwJp_cH-XnbCko3OisIoB9Btp8qZSt9Oe

I would recommend you do some further digging of the links in the National Archives reference. With any luck you can find out which British battalion he was in and from that get a copy of the battalion war diary. Since he was a commissioned officer he will no doubt be named in the battalion war diary. As an officer he was awarded a military cross, so perhaps there will still be a surviving citation. The Canadians are also likely to have battalion war diaries from his earlier, non-commissioned service.

 

[sksvlad]

As a general comment, I found help from present day military. For instance, I was looking for William Halford's military record. He was a mega USN hero from late 1800's. Naval History and Heritage Command at WNY dug it out for me https://forum.cartridgecollectors.o...eavy-1-pounder-projectile-for-w-halford/12019. So asking present day Canadian military may bear fruits.