Apr 25, 1885

Born in Carlsbad Springs, Ontario to Joseph and Amelia (nee Hubert) Gauthier

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59355 (temporary number 869)

Ø      Next of kin given as Amelia Gauthier, mother, Carlsbad Springs, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Commercial Traveller

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “H” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “D” Company 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Apr 16, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training 

To draw pay for the rank of Lance Corporal

Jun 19, 1915

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Bramshott with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in the rank of Lance Corporal

Jul 3, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Jan 12, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace L/Cpl Smith who had been promoted

Apr 3, 1916

Granted leave until April 11

May 18, 1916

Admitted to the No. Convalescent Depot in Boulogne with a diagnosis that first reads Sick, then changed to read VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis)

May 19, 1916

Transferred to the No. 9 Stationary Hospital in Havre

Jul 2, 1916

Transferred to the No. 12 Rest Camp in Harfleur and forfeited 50 cents per day and the loss of his field allowance for the 42 days in hospital as punishment for contracting VDS

Aug 11, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the H & O front line trenches

Sep 15, 1916

As part of the battle of the Somme, the 21^st Battalion was given the task of taking a German stronghold in a sugar refinery near Courcelette.  This was the first time the Canadians had used tanks as part of their attack.  Cpl Gauthier was killed during heavy fighting.

He was buried by his comrades in a field nearby.  When the war ended, Graves Commission attempted to locate his remains, but he could not be found.  This was most likely due to the constant artillery shelling of the area, destroying those battlefield burials.  As such, he is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. A. Gauthier, Carlsbad Springs, Ontario