Name/Title
1916 - Framed photo of Captain (Late Major) Alan Fenton Argue, MC - in his uniform of the 244th Battalion (Kitchener's Own) CEF circa 1916 prior to being transferred to the 87th Battalion (CGG) as Medical OfficerDescription
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION ***
1916 - Framed photo of Captain (Late Major) Alan Fenton Argue, MC - in his uniform of the 244th Battalion (Kitchener's Own) CEF circa 1916 prior to being transferred to the 87th Battalion (CGG) as Medical Officer
ABOUT THE CGG OFFICER
Major Alan Fenton ‘Pud’ Argue. MC was a renowned Montreal Neurologist MD and McGill University Sportsman. Born in Carp, Ontario in 1891, he moved to Montreal to study medicine at McGill University from 1909-1914. During his time at McGill, he was a prominent sportsman who played on the McGill Hockey team with Percival Molson, and the McGill Rugby and Football Teams. Major Argue, MC was best known at McGill for being the person to bring on board the legendary McGill Coach Frank Shaughnessy (Head Coach Montreal Royals / Canadian Hall of Fame Football Player / Coach of Ottawa Rough Riders). The Football team won the intercollegiate Football Championship in 1912. He became a intercollegiate Rugby Champion (1913) and was appointed Rugby Team Manager. On graduation in 1914, Dr. Argue was appointed Medical Superintendent to the Western Hospital (Toronto, ON) with several other future CGG Medical Officers including Dr. Austin Dwight Irvine. On the outbreak of war, he attested with the CAMC and was posted to the 244th Battalion (Kitchener’s Own) CEF. When the 244th Bn. arrived in the UK, it was quickly absorbed into the reserve system, and he was transferred as Medical Officer to the 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) CEF. In 1918, Capt. Argue was badly wounded in his left leg and evacuated to the UK where he treated at the 2nd hospital Hyde Park, London and notified of his award of the Military Cross. It is possible he met his future Sister-in-law who worked as a Royal Nurse Sister (RNS) while in convalesce. Dr Argue returned to Montreal and was heavily involved with the Department of Veteran Affairs and the CGG 6087th Association. He served with the CAMC during WW2 and was promoted to Major. He passed away in Magog, Quebec in 1961.
SERVICE WITH CGG
1916 – 28 July – Attested with Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) in Montreal as Captain / Medical Officer
1917 – 25 March – Embarked in Halifax and sailed to UK aboard SS Lapland
1917 – 19 May – Attached to 244th Battalion CEF (Kitchener’s Own) as Captain and Bn Medical Officer
1918 – 18 February – Proceeded overseas to France
1918 – 4 March – Transferred to the 12th Canadian Field Hospital
1918 – 9 March– Posted to 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) as Captain and MO (8 Month 22 days) *Water colour of Captain Argue being pulled by 87th Battalion Mare and Mascot ‘Queenie’ in the 87th Bn (CGG) Maltese Medical Cart
1918 – 23 October – Wounded in Action with a direct gunshot to left leg below the knee (Leg was saved)
1918 – 3 November – Evacuated to UK for medical treatment (London Hospital)
1918 – 23 December – Struck off strength from CAMC Depto to Canada
1919 – 28 October – Awarded Military Cross for Gallantry by the Prince of Wales (KEVIII) at Lafontaine Park, Montreal while serving with 87th Battalion (CGG) – (LG 331183)
“For conspicuous gallantry end devotion to duty September 2nd/ 3rd 1918 at the Dury-Arras sector. During the attack, he companied the battalion during its advance under heavy fire and established his first aid post in a trench close to the front line reached by the battalion and continuously during the day and night worked without any rest and under constant fire. Later he went to the assistance of a wounded officer under heavy shell fire, dressed his wounds, and remained with him until he died in his arms. Throughout he behaved admirably.”
1919 – 24 March – Discharged from CEF due to general demobilization
1939-1945 Served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps (Promoted to Major)
The collection of Major Alan Fenton Argue, MC, the 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) CEF Medical Officer contains 29 separate items:
- 2 x Photo portraits of Captain (Late Major) Argue, MC
- 1 xfull-size set of WWI / WW2 Medals including the KGV Military Cross and WW2 medals (Major Argue's MC medal was hand presented by HRH Prince of Wales King Edward VIII in Lafontaine Park, Montreal on November 2, 1919)
- 1 x original Military Cross presentation case (This award was hand presented by HRH Prince of Wales King Edward VIII in Lafontaine Park, Montreal on November 2, 1919)
- 1 x WWI ribbon bar with WWI Military Cross, BWM, VM and WW2 defence medal ribbons
- 1 x miniature medal group consisting of the KGV Military Cross, 1914-18 British War medal, and British Victory Medal belonging to Major Argue
- 1 x Awards ceremony Presentation Card (1919) with handwritten note from his parents who attended the award ceremony on back
- 1 x Framed watercolour painting of Captain Argue in 87th Battalion (CGG) Maltese Medical Cart pulled by CGG 87th Bn Mascot Queenie by artist Frank Cassidy (1918)
- 1 x 1920's Montreal star photo and caption of CGG 87th Battalion Mascot 'Queenie'
- 1 x 1930's Montreal star article of CGG 87th Battalion Mascot 'Queenie'
- 1 x sterling silver 1916 private purchase cigarette case with engraved 'AFA' anagram on the front belonging to Major Argue, MC, MD
- 1 x sterling silver 1916 private purchase alcohol container with chained cap (lid) with engraved 'AFA' anagram on the front belonging to Major Argue, MC, MD
- 1 x copy of the 1918 London Gazette with announcement of Captain Argue's WWI KGV Military Cross
- 1 x copy of the 1918-19 citation of Captain Argues WWI KGV Military Cross
- 1 x Officer's 244th Battalion (Kitchener's Own) CEF cap badge with wire lugs intact (issued in 1916 and missing red backing)
- 1 x Framed 1914 McGill University School of Medicine graduate diploma awarded to Dr. Alan Fenton Argue
- 1 x Brass office door plaque named to Dr. (Alan) Argue
- 5 x Newspaper articles (Clippings) announcing enlistment, award of MC, casualty list, and obituary of Maj. Argue
- 1 x McGill University Sports medal
- 1 x a box containing several post WWI commemorative French reproduction medals [hand painted, (Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honour, and French Merit medal), made of pewter white metal.]
- 1 x Medal Group of 3 (British War medal, British Victory medal, King GV Jubilee) named to RNS Argue - sister-in-law of Dr. Alan Argue who served with the Red Cross in London during WWI
- 1 x Red Cross Service Badge in case of issue named to RNS Argue - sister-in-law of Dr. Alan Argue who served with the Red Cross in London during WWI
- 1 x 1919 Letter written by KGV (autopen) to all Royal Nursing Sisters on their return home
- 1 x Box of Edwardian era art deco pendants, and earrings belonging to RNS Argue
- 1 x A RARE and unique autograph book containing the drawings of 11 CEF / BEF WWI SoldiersCreated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
February 25, 2025Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
June 19, 2025
