British commander Sir Julian Byng earned an important place in Canadian history when he led the Canadian Corps to victory in the famous First World War battle at Vimy Ridge almost 90 years ago.

One of many medals earned by Sir Julian Byng that were donated to the Canadian War Museum Monday.
(CBC)

Now the medals he earned in that battle and others have found an important place at the Canadian War Museum.

On Monday, Byng's military honours were officially donated to the Canadian War Museum by collector Dale Murray.

At a ceremony at the museum, Murray described the commander who later became Canada's governor general as a great leader considerate of the men who served under him.

"He liked the Canadians and the Canadians liked him," Murray said.

After the war, Byng was raised to the peerage, and became Viscount Byng of Vimy, a name he chose "in part, I'm sure ... in honour of the magnificent victory achieved by his Canadians," Murray added.

During the famous four-day battle that began April 9, 1917, Canadian troops successfully took back from the Germans a strategic escarpment in northern France, where 150,000 French and British soldiers had died trying to achieve the same goal. More than 3,500 Canadian soldiers died and another 5,000 were wounded in the battle.

After the war, Sir Julian Byng became Viscount Byng of Vimy. He served as Canada's governor general from 1921 to 1926.
(Canadian War Museum)

The victory was considered a landmark achievement that distinguished Canada from Britain in the eyes of other nations.

"The medals represent an important chapter in the history of Canada," Murray said.

Canadian War Museum CEO Joe Geurts, who also attended the ceremony, said personal stories help visitors understand military history.

"And the story of a former governor general, and the general who commanded the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, is one that our visitors will appreciate now, and in future," Geurts said in a statement.

Some of Byng's medals will be displayed starting Friday as part of a museum program marking the 90th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

Byng served as Canada's governor general from 1921 to 1926.