Private Arthur Gagnon

Arthur Gagnon was born at St-Joseph-d'Alma, Quebec, on 15 April 1896. A chief cook who spoke French and English, he enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force at Montreal on 28 October 1940 as Private D-109375. He served entirely in Canada, principally at No. 41 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre at Huntingdon, where he worked as a cook and received trades pay in that trade. During his service he was hospitalized briefly in March 1941 with phlebitis of the legs. He married Marie Angeline Morrissette at the camp chapel on 17 March 1941. A Medical Board in February 1942 recorded varicose veins and Category C-1, but his formal discharge was not medical: he was discharged at Huntingdon on 16 February 1942 because he was over age and his services were no longer required. His active service totalled 477 days. He died at Huntingdon on 9 October 1962; his funeral was held at St. Joseph's Church on 11 October, followed by interment at Huntingdon.

1896-04-15 — Born
1940-10-28 — Enlisted in the Canadian Active Service Force as Private D-109375; joined No. 4 District Depot
1940-10-28 — Executed a military will leaving his estate to his daughter, Mrs. Anne Marie Turcotte
1940-12-22 05:00 to 1940-12-27 17:00 — Absent without leave (5 days 12 hours)
1940-12-31 — Awarded 7 days confined to barracks and forfeiture of 6 days' pay for the December AWOL
1941-01-10 — Attached for all purposes to No. 41 Training Centre
1941-01-11 — Attachment for quarters and rations recorded
1941-01-14 — Attached for pay purposes
1941-01-14 — Entitled to trades pay as Cook, Group C
1941-03-01 — Admitted to hospital with phlebitis of the legs; sore and swollen legs documented
1941-03-06 — Discharged from hospital improved; no pain or tenderness; returned to light duty for 24 hours
1941-03-17 — Married widow Marie Angeline Morrissette at the Camp Chapel
1941-03-26 — Punishment: forfeited 2 days' pay and received 3 days confined to barracks
1941-04-25 — Next of kin formally changed from daughter Mrs. Anne Marie Turcotte to wife Mrs. Marie Gagnon
1941-04-27 — Executed a new military will expressly revoking former wills and leaving his estate to his wife, Mrs. Marie Gagnon
1941-07-30 — Returned from furlough
1941-12-29 — Absent without leave; 8th day of absence recorded on 6 January 1942
1942-01-21 — Admonished and automatically forfeited 17 days' pay for AWOL
1942-02-09 — Medical Board reviewed varicose veins; noted overweight/apparently over age and assigned Category C-1
1942-02-16 — Discharged as over age; services no longer required under R.O. 1029, para. 12
1942-02-19 — Authorized to receive Rehabilitation Grant after more than six months' service
1942-08-06 — War Service Badge, Class II, no. 090305 issued
1949-10-07 — War Medal 1939–45 recorded/despatched
1949-12-14 — Advised he was not eligible for the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal because his active service totalled 477 days, short of the required 18 months
1962-10-09 — Died
1962-10-11 — Funeral service at St. Joseph's Church; interment at Huntingdon