Canada, Cef. A British War Medal, Canadian Machine Gun Brigade

(2378485 PTE. T.J. GAGEN. C.M.G. BDE.). Naming is officially impressed. Light contact, original ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: Thomas John Gagen was born on May 15, 1892 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Thomas William Gagen and Elizabeth Gagen of Gypsumville, Manitoba. He was a resident of Gypsumville when he was conscripted, signing his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper as a Private (2378485), Military Service Act (numbered 301903J.R. 97), with the 1st Depot Battalion, Manitoba Regiment, at No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, on December 4, 1917, at the age of 25, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Thomas William Gagen, stating that he was Single, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Steamfitter. He was part of the First Draft of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps and had his medical examination previously conducted at Dauphin, Manitoba on November 14, 1917. He was subsequently posted to the 205th Infantry Battalion, at the Machine Gun Depot in Hamilton, Ontario. The 205th Infantry Battalion was raised and mobilized in Hamilton, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 69, July 15, 1916. On December 20, 1916, the Battalion was re-designated a Draft Depot for the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, Military District No. 2, Central Ontario. Private Gagen embarked Canada on March 8, 1918 aboard the S.S. Telfa, arriving in England on the 18th.

Five months after arriving in England, he was struck off strength to the Canadian Machine Gun Pool for service in the French theatre on August 18, 1918, arriving in France on the 19th. Upon arrival in France, he was taken on strength of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, then posted to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps on August 29th, joining his unit on the 31st. After serving for eight months in France and upon the ceasing of hostilities, he proceeded to England from Le Havre on April 12, 1919. He was struck off strength to Canada, embarking for home aboard HMT Minnekahda on May 14, 1919, arriving in Canada on the 23rd and taken on strength at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario. Private Thomas John Gagen was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto,, on May 27, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 193782. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, the former presented here, the latter having been lost to time.