Major Harold Wigmore McGill MC in the Great War

Major Harold Wigmore McGill (21 December 1879 – 3 July 1961) a Canadian physician and provincial politician from Alberta. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the Council of the Northwest Territories. His sister, Frances Gertrude McGill, was the provincial bacteriologist and pathologist in Saskatchewan. Another sister, Nursing Sister Margaret H. McGill served with No.2 Canadian General Hospital.

Early Life

Harold Wigmore McGill born 21 December 1879 in Norwood, Ontario. Father Edward McGill, whose family had emigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1819, and mother Henrietta Wigmore, also of Irish descent. Henrietta a former school teacher, and had once circumnavigated the globe, travelling to New Zealand for a teaching job and later returning to Canada. Finally, Edward active in local politics and agricultural societies, and worked as the postmaster in Minnedosa.

Harold had an older brother, Herbert, and two younger sisters named Frances and Margaret. Margaret became a nurse and joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Then, in mid-1900, his parents became ill with typhoid fever after drinking contaminated water at a county fair, but both died in September within ten days of each other. McGill’s eldest brother, Herbert, took over the running of the family farm until his younger siblings had completed their basic schooling. Later, McGill graduated from medical school at the University of Manitoba in 1905. Then, he served as the physician for the Tsuut’ina Nation after he came to Calgary in 1910. Finally, in 1917 he married Kansas-born, Ontario-raised Emma Mildred Griffis (1884–1971).

Attestation

Harold Wigmore McGill enlisted with the 31st Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 and later attached to No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance Corps in 1917. When Harold went overseas to fight in the Great War, his future wife Nursing Sister Emma Mildred Griffis moved to England to serve as a nurse. Emma served with No.9 Stationary Hospital, Bramshott, and No.12 Canadian General Hospital at Shorncliffe. Harold attested 15 November 1914 at Calgary as a Lieutenant with the 31st Battalion, at this time standing 5′ 8″ tall, 175 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair, with a scar over inner right valleolus.

Immediately, appointed Captain and Medical Officer, 31st Battalion, 17 November 1914. McGill’s unit sailed from Canada on 17 May 1915.

31st Battalion

Organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. Bell. Firstly, mobilized at Calgary and recruited in Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, Youngstown, Claresholm and Pincher Creek. Secondly, embarked from Quebec 17 May 1915 aboard CARPATHIA, and disembarked England 28 May 1915 with a strength of 37 officers, and 1122 other ranks. Furthermore, arrived in France 18 September 1915, with the 2nd Canadian Division, 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and reinforced by the 21st Canadian Reserve Battalion. Finally, Colours deposited in the Church of the Redeemer, Calgary in 1919, and perpetuated by The North Alberta Regiment and The South Alberta Regiment.

France

Captain Harold Wigmore McGill entered the Western Front on 15 September 1915 with the 31st Battalion. Then, taken on strength CAMC on arrival in France, and attached to the 31st Battalion, immediately, Captain McGill made a strong impact on his unit.

Battle of Flers-Courcelette

For actions during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, Harold Wigmore McGill awarded Military Cross on 25 November 1916, London Gazette No.29837 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended and dressed the wounded under very heavy fire with great courage and determination on 15-16 September 1916 during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.

Finally, Captain Harold Wigmore McGill granted ten days leave, 7 July 1917.

No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. D. Farmer. Firstly, mobilized at Toronto and Hamilton, and recruited in Military District No. 2. Secondly, left Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard NORTHLAND, and arrived in England on 29 April 1915 with a strength of 11 officers, 248 other ranks. Furthermore, arrived in France 16 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade until 16 August 1915, and 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade thereafter.

Then, Captain Harold Wigmore McGill ceases to be attached to 31st Battalion on posting to No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance, 2 October 1917. Earlier, Captain McGill MC had arrived at No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance on 22 September 1917.

Finally, proceeded on leave, 15 December 1917, returning 25 December 1917. The McGill’s married in December 1917 during this leave.

Then, to be Acting/Major authority London Gazette No.30513, 7 February 1918. In addition, to be Temporary Major authority London Gazette No.30652, and 30647, 5 March 1918.

Battle of Amiens

Later, Major Harold Wigmore McGill proceeded on 14 days leave to England, 1 September 1918, rejoining from leave 15 September 1918.

Demobilization

Major Harold Wigmore McGill granted 14 days leave to Nice, 12 January 1919, later, returning from leave 2 February 1919.

Major Harold Wigmore McGill proceeded to England, 7 April 1919. Sadly, Emma had a miscarriage prior to sailing with her husband to Canada aboard SS OLYMPIC. Then, Major McGill struck off strength CEF in Canada after arriving on SS OLYMPIC per General Demobilization, 27 May 1919.

Post Great War

The McGills arrived back in Calgary in early June 1919, and Harold took up his old job as physician to the Sarcee (Tsuu T’ina) reserve on the edge of the city. Emma soon pregnant with their first child, Kathleen, shortly followed by their second daughter, Doris. McGill was elected Alderman on Calgary City Council in the 1926 Calgary municipal election, a post he held until 1930.

Then, McGill elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the Conservative Party in the 1930 Alberta general election. Later, he ended up elected to the 6th seat in the Calgary electoral district, in the 10th vote count. McGill served in the Legislature for just over two years before vacating his seat. Then, in the 1930s the family moved to Ottawa where Harold was appointed Deputy Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, and his appointment took effect and he vacated his seat in the Alberta Legislature on October 14, 1932. The post also entitled him to a seat in the Northwest Territories government. He was appointed to the 2nd Council of the Northwest Territories and served as a member until 1947.

Finally, the McGill’s retired to British Columbia in 1945. Later, Harold died in 1961 and Emma in 1971. Previously, the McGill’s had two daughters, Kathleen (Odell) and Doris (McNab), who treasured their parents’ war correspondence and donated the letters to the Glenbow Archives between 1976 and 1979.

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