Name/Title
1918 - WWI - Major Howard Frank Fogg (1889-1953) - Famous Composer /Conductor / Canadian Music Pioneer - First person to have written a Canadian film music scoreDescription
Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION ***
WWI/WW2 Medal group, Portrait photo, and CEF Class 'A' War Service Badge and issuing documents named to Major Howard Frank Fogg
Major Howard Fogg was a pre-eminent Canadian Composer of his era. (A world class musician who was an infantryman at heart!). Howard Frank Fogg, violinist, composer, conductor (1889-1953) is credited with writing the first original composition for a Canadian film. Born at Lewiston, Maine, he later moved to Montréal where he studied the violin with Gustav Haanka.
Originally enlisting with the 60th Bn CEF, he was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant in 1918 and returned to the 87th Battalion, where he was wounded in his right arm on November 5 1918 —a devastating injury for a violinist. Although Fogg kept his arm, his days as a concert performer were over. He returned to Canada and studied conducting with Gaston Borsch.
During the early 1920s he directed the Montréal musical group The Melody King's Dance Orchestra and recorded multiple albums with RCA (His Master's Choice Records) along with leading stars of the day such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman.
During the 1930's up to the Second World War (WW2), he was also musical director of the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. Major Fogg prepared and directed musical broadcasts on CNRM radio and later with Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC). He is considered a pioneer in composition and synchronization for Associated Screen News.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
January 7, 2022Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 30, 2025
