Apr 13, 1890

Born at Pembroke, Ontario to James and Nancy (nee McKinley) Gagnon

Mar 7, 1918

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Ottawa, Ontario

Conscripted into the 2^nd Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Number 3320660

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. N. Gagnon, mother, Pembroke, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Bookkeeper

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to the 8^th Regimental Draft

May 15, 1918

The 8^th Regimental Draft embarked the SS City of Marseilles in Montreal, Quebec

May 26, 1918

Admitted to the ship’s infirmary with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis

Jun 1, 1918

Discharged from the infirmary

Jun 5, 1918

Disembarked in England and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Sep 26, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 27, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Oct 3, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, and before he could join the 21^st Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 44^th Battalion

Oct 6, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Gagnon joined the 44^th Battalion west of Douai, France

Nov 1, 1918

While advancing south of Valenciennes, France, Private Gagnon received a shrapnel wound to his left foot that fractured the great toe and he was evacuated to the No. 13 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Nov 3, 1918

Transferred via the No. 15 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Nov 6, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Military General Hospital in Colchester, Ipswich

Transferred to the NBRD (New Brunswick Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 3, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Jan 13, 1919

Attached to No. 1 CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Witley for therapy and exercise

Granted 12 days sick leave

Jan 28, 1919

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 13^th Reserve Battalion in Ripon

Feb 14, 1919

Transferred to the Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 25, 1919

Embarked the SS Megantic in Liverpool

Mar 5, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3 Sub Depot Casualty Company

Mar 22, 1919

Admitted to the CCGH (Carleton County General Hospital) in Ottawa with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis and surgery was performed to remove the Appendix

Mar 31, 1919

Transferred to the Sir Sandford Fleming Convalescent Hospital in Ottawa

Apr 14, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 231914

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Pembroke, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Maine St., Pembroke, Ontario

Oct 6, 1928

Married to Amy Lydia Binns in Toronto, Ontario

Jul 23, 1940

Attested into the CASF (Canadian Active Service Force) in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Number B 475003

Ø  Next of kin given as Amy Lydia Gagnon, wife, 412 Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Auditor-Accountant

Ø  Previous military experience given as 44^th Battalion CEF from 1917 to 1919

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Canada with the rank of Acting Sergeant

Jul 27, 1940

Medical exam notes that he suffers from high blood pressure

Feb 19, 1941

Admitted to the Toronto Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads suspected stomach ulcer

Mar 3, 1941

Radiology report shows a diagnosis of Cancer of the stomach

Mar 11, 1941

Medical exam notes

Ø  Patient is anemic

Ø  Has blood in his stool

Ø  Has recently lost weight

Ø  States he feels weak

Mar 24, 1941

Discharged to duty from hospital

Discharged from the Canadian Active Service Force in Toronto, Ontario as medically unfit

Ø  Rank on discharge Sergeant

May 16, 1942

John Griffin Gagnon died of Cancer while a patient of the Christie St. Hospital, Toronto, Ontario and was buried in Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.  His death was considered to be a result of his military service and a Memorial Cross was sent to his widow, Amy Gagnon