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Jun 14, 1897
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Born in Martintown, Ontario to Edward and
Angeline Gagne
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Nov 23, 1915
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Attested into the 59th Battalion in
Cornwall, Ontario
Ø Number 455739
Ø Next of kin given as Edward Gagne, father, St. Andrews East PO,
Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Farmhand
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
Ø Assigned to “D” Company
The battalion trained in Kingston, Ontario
through the winter
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Apr 1, 1916
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Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Apr 11, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England
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Jun 6, 1916
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Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in
Shorncliffe first diagnosed with a Hernia. On
further examination, it was determined that there was no hernia, but a weak abdominal wall
that caused pain and discomfort.
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Jun 10, 1916
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Discharged to duty
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Jul 6, 1916
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The 59th Battalion was absorbed into
the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling
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Aug 17, 1916
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Posted to the 21st Battalion
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Aug 18, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 136 Reinforcements from England and TOS
(Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Oct 8, 1916
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Medical Board declared him unfit for service at
the front and classified him PB (Permanent Base) meaning that he was capable of base duty
only and attached to the Canadian Corps Headquarters
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Oct 9, 1916
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Attached to the Canadian Corps Composite Company
for duty
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May 3, 1917
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Declared fit for full duty and joined the 21st
Battalion in Division Support near Willerval, France, south of Lens
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Aug 15, 1917
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The 21st Battalion took part in the
attack on Hill 70 near Lens. In severe
fighting, hand to hand at times, Private Gagne was first reported to have been wounded,
but later was reported to have been killed and his body was never recovered from the
battlefield. As such, he is commemorated on
the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Edward Gagne, at
St. Andrews, Ontario
A memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. A.
Gagne, at the same address
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