Company Quartermaster Sergeant Robert Court McGlashan

Company Quartermaster Sergeant Robert Court McGlashan was born in Montreal on 26 March 1917. Before military service he worked in retail and studied commercial art. He joined the Victoria Rifles of Canada militia in August 1940, served at the Huntingdon training centre, and attested in the Canadian Army (Active) on 24 November 1941. He married Iris Esther Tatem at Chateauguay Basin on 6 September 1941. Joining the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in September 1942, he qualified as a parachutist at Fort Benning, Georgia, that November and became Company Quartermaster Sergeant in 1943. He served in Britain, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His individual service entries record arrival in France on 8 June 1944. After repatriation in June 1945, he was honourably discharged at Montreal South on 23 July. He received the 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp and War Medal. McGlashan died in Ottawa on 17 February 1993, aged 75; his obituary names wife Madeline (Dolly) Finnerty and sons Norman and Robert. His funeral was followed by United Cemetery of Chateauguay.

1917-03-26 — Born Robert Court McGlashan. [Montreal, Quebec]
1932 — Completed second year of high school at Strathcona Academy. [Montreal, Quebec]
1934 to 1940 — Worked for T. Eaton Co. as assistant manager of children’s wear; earlier forms also describe stock-clerk employment. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-08-14 — Joined the Victoria Rifles of Canada militia; early attestations carry differing signature dates in August. Entry examination: 5 feet 7 inches, 148 pounds. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-09-18 — Called out on active service under General Order 139/1939; joined No. 4 District Depot as Private and appointed acting Lance Corporal with pay, effective this date. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-09-18 — Entry examination found Category A; chest full expansion 34 inches and expansion range 2½ inches. Height fraction in this form is indistinct. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-09-18 — Family declaration: parents Norman and Ella living at 2 Station Road; no other supported dependants; insurance with London Life and Travellers. [Chateauguay Basin, Quebec]
1940-09-24 to 1940-10-12 — Series of three T.A.B. inoculations on 24 September, 5 October and 12 October. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1940-09-27 — Transferred from No. 4 District Depot to No. 41 Training Centre; taken on strength there on 28 September. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1940-10-18 — Appointed acting Corporal with pay. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1940-11-12 — Allotted service number D502633; earlier NPAM number 3041 was superseded. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1940-12 — Morning sick report records a cold, apparently 2 December; treatment abbreviation uncertain. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1940-12 — Dental examination recorded fair oral hygiene and need for prophylaxis; one upper molar marked for extraction. [Victoria Rifles of Canada]
1941-02-28 — Passed Lewis light-machine-gun examination: 90 in drill and 80 in oral examination. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-03-09 — Proceeding on command to District First Aid Course, held 10–22 March; returned 23 March. [St. Hyacinthe, Quebec]
1941-03-17 — Military District No. 4 issued Lewis light-machine-gun qualification certificate, identifying Corporal of 2nd Battalion, Victoria Rifles of Canada (Reserve Force). [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-03-23 — Returned to No. 41 Training Centre following first-aid course; successful completion recorded 31 March. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-04-01 — War Savings pay assignment of $1 per month took effect. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-04-02 — Occupational history recorded receiving-checker experience with an employer apparently Henry Morgan & Co.; wished to remain in Permanent Force rather than return to civilian employer. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-05-07 — Appointed acting Sergeant with pay to complete establishment. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-06-22 to 1941-07-05 — Fourteen days’ furlough; returned 5 July. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-08-06 — Confirmed as Sergeant retrospectively by order dated 15 May 1943. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-08-13 — Granted permission to marry Iris Tatem of Huntingdon on or about 6 September. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-08-21 — Chest X-ray negative; recorded weight 160, without unit specified on form. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-09-06 — Married Iris Esther Tatem at St. Andrews United Church. [Chateauguay Basin, Quebec]
1941-09-12 — Dependants’ allowance application forwarded for wife. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-09-15 — Next of kin changed from mother to wife Iris, 20 Hunter Street. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-10-11 — Pay assignment of $35 to wife Iris recorded. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-11-23 — Ceased employment under General Order 139 pending attestation for Canadian Active Army; carried by No. 4 District Depot. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1941-11-24 — Attested in Canadian Army (Active), D72302; continued at No. 41 Training Centre on command/attachment, with acting Sergeant appointment recorded. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-11-24 — Medical recheck confirmed Category A; chest X-ray at Montreal was negative. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-12-11 — District Records Officer requested original service documents for completion to Active Force. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-12-12 — Executed second wartime will; family declaration named wife Iris Esther, parents Norman and Ella, and no children or other dependants. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1941-12-17 — Army Headquarters correspondence addressed completion of original Active Force documents. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1942-01-05 to 1942-01-30 — On command and attached to Training Centre A-12 for Course No. 28; returned to No. 41 Training Centre on 30 January. [Farnham, Quebec]
1942-02-11 — Medical record notes a second serum dose; precise serum description unclear. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-02-20 — M Test: total 157, Grade C, component subtotals 51, 35 and 71. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-03-26 — Sick report recorded pyrexia of unknown origin, 101, and E.D.; listed as Sergeant, A Company, Victoria Rifles, No. 41 Training Centre. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-05-25 — Admitted to Huntingdon Military Hospital with nasopharyngitis: sore throat, abdominal pain and weakness; treated with rest and symptomatic measures. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-05-28 — Recovered and discharged from Huntingdon Military Hospital; apparently excused duty for 24 hours. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-07-14 to 1942-07-27 — Fourteen days’ furlough, with 50 cents per diem credited. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-08-13 — Army assessment recorded wish to join paratroops; commercial-art classes, retail experience, sports and driving skills; suggested instructor/staff employment. [No. 41 Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-09-17 — Struck off strength of No. 41 Training Centre for transfer to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1942-09-18 — Taken on strength of 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion; parachutist pay authorized retrospectively from this date. [Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1942-09-21 — Attached to Shilo Camp Headquarters Composite Mess for rations and quarters. [Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1942-09-24 — Army Examiner reported him suitable, a good NCO, and hoping to remain with paratroops. [Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1942-10-05 — Proceeded on command and attached to No. 4 District Depot for all purposes including pay; earlier Sherbrooke order cancelled/amended. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1942-10-06 to 1942-10-08 — On command to Prince of Wales Own Regiment at Sherbrooke Exhibition Grounds; ceased command 8 October. [Sherbrooke, Quebec]
1942-10-08 — Proceeded on command to Fort Benning for parachute training. [Fort Benning, Georgia, United States]
1942-11-07 — Qualified as a parachutist after packing instruction and jump training. [Fort Benning, Georgia, United States]
1942-11-15 — Struck off strength of No. 4 District Depot on transfer to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion while on command at Fort Benning; taken on strength 16 November. [Fort Benning, Georgia, United States]
1943-01-01 — Appointed acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion]
1943-04-01 — Confirmed as Company Quartermaster Sergeant retrospectively in entry dated 1 October 1943; pay record likewise gives this effective date. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion]
1943-04-01 — Wife’s dependants’ allowance amended from $35 to $36.60 monthly. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1943-04-02 to 1943-04-15 — Furlough with ration allowance recorded on a service continuation. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1943-04-26 to 1943-05-09 — Annual furlough; amended dates replaced 2–15 May, with return corrected to 9 May. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1943-05-13 — Next-of-kin address amended to wife Iris Esther, Rosser Avenue, Suite 4; street number appears 932. [Brandon, Manitoba]
1943-05-27 to 1943-06-02 — Embarkation leave; commencement corroborated by movement card. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1943-06-11 — T.A.B.T. inoculation recorded. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion]
1943-06-12 — Next-of-kin address changed to wife Iris Esther at Huntingdon. [Huntingdon, Quebec]
1943-06-13 — Attached for rations to No. 4 C.P.T.S.; another sheet’s abbreviation appears S14. [Shilo Camp, Manitoba]
1943-06-17 — Medical entry appears to concern vision and a medical board; details indistinct. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion]
1943-07-23 — Embarked from Canada and struck off Canadian strength.
1943-07-24 — Taken on strength of Canadian Army Overseas. [At sea, en route to United Kingdom]
1943-07-28 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom.
1943-07-29 to 1943-08-11 — Attached for rations and quarters to 1 C.B.S.C.; ceased attachment 11 August. [United Kingdom]
1943-09-21 to 1943-09-29 — Attachment to airborne training establishment recorded; copies disagree on scope and cessation/renewal dates. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-27 — Dental treatment included amalgam restorations and extraction of lower left tooth 7. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1943-11-02 to 1943-11-11 — Privilege leave with ration allowance. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1943-11-19 — Medical board recorded category unchanged. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1943-11-23 — Wrote to Mrs. Iris McGlashan at Huntingdon, describing parachute exercises and a planned eleven-day exercise with 100-mile march; letter was subsequently intercepted. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1943-12-07 — Censors reported letter for disclosure of new aircraft details; CMHQ forwarded correspondence for action on 8 and 15 December. [United Kingdom]
1943-12-27 — Awarded a reprimand under Army Act section 40 for breach of security in correspondence. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1943-12-29 — Unit reported reprimand and destruction of original letter; censorship observation returned to CMHQ. [United Kingdom]
1944-01-15 — CMHQ recorded disciplinary action complete and found no useful purpose in pursuing destruction of letter further; disposition note followed 19 January. [United Kingdom]
1944-01-22 to 1944-01-31 — Privilege leave with ration allowance. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1944-01-25 — Clasp to Canadian Volunteer Service Medal entered in service record. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1944-04-01 to 1944-04-12 — Privilege leave with ration allowance. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1944-06-04 — Embarked from the United Kingdom for France according to repeated movement entries.
1944-06-08 — Disembarked in France with 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, 21 Army Group.
1944-09 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom; records disagree between 7 and 9 September.
1944-09-06 — Embarked from France for return to Britain.
1944-09-11 to 1944-09-24 — Privilege leave with ration allowance. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1944-12 — Embarked from the United Kingdom for Belgium; departure records give 22 or 23 December.
1944-12-01 to 1944-12-10 — Privilege leave. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1944-12-23 — Disembarked in Belgium; one duplicate has an inconsistent 1945 year, contradicted by subsequent February return and entry authority.
1945 — Served in Holland and Germany as well as France and Belgium.
1945-01-09 — Army Headquarters correspondence identified him as overseas; Private designation differs from contemporary CQMS service records. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-02 to 1945-03-06 — Privilege leave ended 6 March; records give commencement 26 or 27 February. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, United Kingdom]
1945-02-21 — Embarked from Belgium for Britain.
1945-02-22 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom.
1945-03-20 — Embarked from the United Kingdom.
1945-03-21 — Disembarked in Belgium.
1945-05 — Service entry records departure from Germany apparently 19 May; arrival record establishes emplaning/disemplaning 24 May.
1945-05-01 — Pay assignment of $8.40 apparently to Cpl Koster recorded for 8th Victory Loan bonds. [1st Canadian Parachute Battalion]
1945-05-24 — Emplaned in Germany and disemplaned in the United Kingdom. [Germany to United Kingdom]
1945-06-12 — Struck off strength of Canadian Army Overseas for repatriation to Military District 4; cancelled 14 June entry replaced by 12 June. [United Kingdom]
1945-06-13 — Taken on strength of No. 4 District Depot on repatriation. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-06-22 — Personnel-selection supplement prepared. [No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-06-23 to 1945-07-22 — Leave and ration allowance recorded; duplicate movement card gives a shorter 23–28 June interval. [No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-20 — Release medical board recorded no abnormality detected and PULHEMS ratings all 1; no treatment necessary. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-20 — Dental requirements assessed: amalgam and synthetic-porcelain restorations and prophylaxis. [No. 24 Dental Company, Clinic No. 26, Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-23 — Honourably discharged as Company Quartermaster Sergeant to return to civil life on demobilization, Routine Order 1029(5). Received $100 clothing allowance, 30 days’ pay and War Service Badge General Service Class No. 279270. [No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-23 — Civilian counselling recorded arranged employment in father’s grocery business and intention to consider a Veterans’ Land Act small holding after one or two years; referred to placement officer at Beauharnois and regional supervisor in Montreal. [Chateauguay Basin, Quebec]
1945-07-23 — Applied for War Service Gratuity. [Chateauguay Basin, Quebec]
1945-07-26 — No. 4 District Depot issued discharge communication concerning CQMS Robert Court McGlashan. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-27 — Army Headquarters requested dependants’ allowance confirmation; reply 13 August gave $37.20 and no unrecovered allowance/assigned-pay overpayment. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-08-06 — Service-benefit computation certified 1,770 qualifying days: 1,080 Western Hemisphere and 690 overseas. [Military District 4]
1945-08-22 — Gratuity office advised payment awaited pay documents from District Headquarters. [Arnprior, Ontario]
1945-08-23 — Both military wills, dated 18 September 1940 and 12 December 1941, returned to him. [Chateauguay Basin, Quebec]
1945-09-07 — Gratuity statement awarded $766.50 gross, less $0.75 pay overpayment: $765.75 net in five instalments of $153.15. [Chateauguay Basin, Quebec]
1949-10-31 — Campaign medals dispatched: 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, CVSM with clasp and War Medal.
1993-02-17 — Died at age 75; obituary named wife Madeline (Dolly) Finnerty, sons Norman and Robert (Dawn Cannon), and grandchildren Lynn and Dyanne. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1993-02-20 — Funeral announced for 10 a.m. at Alfred Dallaire & Wilson chapel, 123 Maple Boulevard; then to United Cemetery of Chateauguay. [Chateauguay, Quebec]
1994-08-19 — Family inquiry requested certificate and medal-entitlement information; statement of service sent to Mrs. McGlashan. [Ottawa, Ontario]
2016-08-05 — Death notification documented death on 17 February 1993, citing funeral director’s notice. [Ottawa, Ontario]