Name/Title
1919 - WWI - A sterling silver King George V Canadian Memorial 'Mother' Cross' named to 757489 Private Frederick George Bosher, 87th Battalion (CGG) Lewis Gunner - KIA 13 May 1917Scope and Content
*** For archive purposes only - Item is not part of the CGG Museum Collection ***
1919 - WWI - A sterling silver King George V 'Mother' Cross' named to 757489 Private Frederick George Bosher, 87th Battalion (CGG) Lewis Gunner - KIA 13 May 1917. A total 1,315 CGG members who were killed during WWI with multiple 'Mother's Crosses' awarded to 'Next of Kin' family members including mothers and wives.
ABOUT THE CANADIAN MEMORIAL (MOTHER'S) CROSS
The Memorial Cross (more often referred to as the 'Mother's Cross' or 'Silver Cross') was first instituted by Order-in-Council 2374, dated December 1, 1919. It was awarded to mothers and widows (next of kin) of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty. The crosses were sent automatically to mothers and wives who qualified, and could be worn by the recipients anytime, even though they were not themselves veterans. The cross was engraved with the name, rank and service number of the son or husband. Recent changes now allow Canadian Forces members to designate up to three Memorial Cross recipients. It was the medal that nobody wanted. In the shape of a Greek cross with the royal cypher centered and maple leaves at the end of each arm, this medal was a Canadian award. Accompanied by a card with the signature of the Canadian Minister of Militia, 58,500 Silver Crosses were issued in the 1920s and mailed to Canadian mothers who lost their sons or widows who lost their husbands in the war.
ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER
Private Frederick George Bosher was born in 1886 in Oakville, Ontario and was working as a teamster in Hamilton, Ontario until he enlisted with the CEF in January 1916 with previous military experience with the 20th Battalion. He was killed in action while serving as a Lewis Gunner with the 87th Battalion (CGG) on May 13th 1917 and is buried at Villers Station Cemetery, France.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
March 8, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
March 8, 2026
