From the News

Dated: December 21, 1917

Men of 58th Provide Gun for Crosses

British Authorities Will Use Bronze Gun Captured by Canadians from Germans for Making Victoria Crosses

OTTAWA, Dec. 20.--A bronze gun captured by the Canadian troops overseas from the Germans will be used by the British authorities for the manufacture of Victoria crosses.  The gun in question was captured by the 58th Canadian Infantry battalion, and Sir George Perley, in a letter to Gen. Mewburn, minister of militia, states that he has agreed to its being turned over to the British authorities.

Sir George says that it has been in the past the practice to manufacture Victoria crosses from bronze guns captured from the enemy.  Modern guns, however, are nearly all made of steel, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain the older weapons of bronze.

Sir George Perley, in authorizing the handling of the captured gun pointed out the desirablility of letting it be known that Canada, and particularly the 58th battalion, had provided the trophy.