Sapper Hugh Percival McGowan
Survivor of WW2
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Hugh Percival McGowan, a veteran of the First World War, enlisted again at Montreal on 17 June 1940 for service in the Canadian Army (Active), Veterans Guard of Canada, service number D-107165. He served on guard, security and prisoner-escort duties in Canada and was promoted Corporal in May 1942. In March 1946 he travelled to the United Kingdom as a prisoner-of-war escort, returning to Canada the following month. He was honourably discharged on demobilization at Montreal on 30 April 1946. His Second World War service entitled him to the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the War Medal 1939–45.
Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
D-107165
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Railway Troops
Battalion:
2nd Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Montreal, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
47 years 5 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
53 years 3 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
76 years 2 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Labourer
Next of Kin:
Wife: Julia O'Connor McGowan, Athelstan, Quebec.
Address at Enlistment:
Athelstan, Quebec
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 6.0 in / 168 cm
Weight:
141 lbs / 64 kg
Chest:
37.0 in / 94 cm
Expansion:
4.0 in / 10 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
Yes
Saw Service in:
Great Britain
Place of Discharge:
Montreal, Quebec
Discharge Type:
Discharge Notes:
To return to civil life (on demobilization); honourable discharge.
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
2143 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Sapper |
Canadian Railway Troops |
Army |
2nd Battalion |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Army |
Veterans Guard of Canada |
No. 4 Company |
|
1940-06-17 |
|
|
| WW2 |
Army |
Veterans Guard of Canada |
13 Company / later 6 Company |
|
1942-05-26 |
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW2 |
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
War Medal 1939–45 |
|
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1893-01-05 — Born.
1940-06-17 — Enlisted Canadian Army (Active), Veterans Guard of Canada, D-107165, as Private.
1940-11-13 to 1940-11-21 — Hospitalized with acute upper respiratory infection; discharged fit.
1942-05-26 — Promoted Corporal.
1943-09-02 to 1943-09-07 — Hospitalized with bronchitis.
1944-10-09 to 1944-10-24 — Hospitalized for recurrent epigastric pain; final diagnosis acute gastro-enteritis; returned to duty.
1945-06-05 — Volunteered for service in the Pacific Theatre.
1945-06-10 — Reposted from No. 12 Company (Supernumerary), Monteith, to No. 6 Company.
1945-06-11 — On command to prisoner-of-war labour project.
1946-02-05 — Selected/on command for prisoner-of-war escort duty to United Kingdom.
1946-03-08 — Embarked for United Kingdom as prisoner-of-war escort.
1946-03-14 — Arrived overseas.
1946-04-07 — Disembarked in Canada after UK escort duty.
1946-04-30 — Honourably discharged on demobilization, to return to civil life.
Notes
WW2: Veterans Guard of Canada, 17 Jun 1940–30 Apr 1946; guard/security and prisoner-escort duties; UK POW escort Mar–Apr 1946; promoted Corporal 26 May 1942; CVSM and War Medal 1939–45.
Additional Service Notes
WW2 Veterans Guard service included guard/security work in Canada and prisoner-of-war escort duty to the United Kingdom in March–April 1946.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
WW2: Wife Julia O'Connor McGowan at Athelstan, Quebec; family form records nine children.
Research Notes
WW2 file: pre-war employment included Canadian Car Ltd. (1907–12), farm labour (1912–16, 1919–22), self-employed farming (1922–29), and International Cooperage Co., Athelstan (1929–40). Family form lists wife Julia and nine children. Significant medical episodes: URI Nov 1940; bronchitis Sep 1943; acute gastro-enteritis Oct 1944; discharge board also noted chronic bronchitis and cardiac/valvular findings.
