Gordon James MacGougan 1893 - 1959. My grandfather grew up in Malpeque, Prince Edward Island. On his Attestation Paper he listed his occupation as 'farmer.' He enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on April 16, 1915 as a Corporal in the Fort Garry Horse Machine Gun Corps. He spent much of his time in France and in Belgium. Upon enlisting he signed an oath that stated: I, Gordon James MacGougan, do make Oath, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to his Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend his Majesty his Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity, against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His heirs and Successors, and all the Generals and Officers set over me, So help me God.
He never returned to live in Malpeque, instead settling in and raising his family in Ottawa. I was only four when he died, so my memories of him are quite faint. On November 11, 2023, give thoughts to all the brave men and women who have defended our democracy over the decades. Lest we Forget.