Name/Title
1921 - RARE CGG SMALL ARMS CARRY PERMIT (MILITARY DISTRICT 4) - A CGG issued Small Arms Carrying Permit presented to Cpl. Matthew Penman (CGG Regt'l Svc # 45) to allow him to carry his rifle in uniform or civilian clothes to Pointe-aux-Trembles Rifle Ranges. Signed by Captain (Late Major) William Alfred ‘Fred’ Roberts, CGG Regimental Adjutant.Scope and Content
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** ARTIFACT ON LOAN TO CGG MUSEUM ***
1921 - RARE CGG SMALL ARMS CARRY PERMIT (MILITARY DISTRICT 4) - A CGG issued Small Arms Carrying Permit presented to Cpl. Matthew Penman (CGG Regt'l Svc # 45) to allow him to carry his rifle in uniform or civilian clothes to Pointe-aux-Trembles Rifle Ranges. Signed by Captain (Late Major) William Alfred ‘Fred’ Roberts, CGG Regimental Adjutant.
ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER
CSM Mathew Penman, born in Dunston, England, immigrated to Canada in 1913 and joined the 1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards (CGG). During World War I, he was among the 387 CGG members who volunteered to serve in the 14th Battalion (Royal Montréal Regiment) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). Rising to the rank of Corporal, he was wounded in 1916 and later transferred to Canadian Division Headquarters, where he served as an Armourer-Sergeant, specializing in the repair of CEF bicycles. Upon his return to Canada in 1919, Penman was awarded the CEF Class A War Badge #399036 and rejoined CGG. He went on to become a highly successful competitive shooter from 1923-1963, earning the title of Québec Rifle Association Champion for eight consecutive years, from 1930 to 1938. Additionally, he won the prestigious CGG Pepler Challenge Cup twice. CSM Penman retired from active military service in 1958 as a Company Sergeant Major (CSM) but remained deeply involved with the CGG Veterans Association. Tragically, Mathew Penman passed away in 1974 while playing billiards in the CGG Sergeants Mess. His legacy as a dedicated soldier, skilled marksman, and committed veteran lives on in CGGs SGT’s Mess to this day.
ABOUT MAJOR W.A. ROBERTS
Major William Alfred ‘Fred’ Roberts was born on 9 October 1879 in Wolverhampton, UK and migrated to Canada in 1890’s. He was a Canadian Grenadier Guards Canadian Boer War Veteran (#7870 - RCR and CFA) who saw action in Rhodesia (Very rare Clasp to the QSA Medal). Major Roberts was a member of CGG / 1st Regiment - Prince of Wales Regiment Fusiliers (PWRF) for 14 years. He was one of 4 CGG Members to be selected to represent the Montréal Militia at King Edward VII's Coronation in 1902. RSM Roberts enlisted with the 245th Battalion as its Sgt-Major (service # 1057158) on 2 November 1916 and after distinguished service during WW1 (where he was RSM to 3 CEF Battalions), he Commissioned as an Officer while leading the 12th Canadian Railway Troops in 1918. He returned to Montréal in 1919 to become CGG's Adjutant and retired as Senior Major. CGG History Fact - In 1901, Sgt Roberts became the first CGG Member to be captured on film when Thomas Edison filmed the future King George V (Duke of York) presenting Boer War Medals to Canadian Soldiers in Montréal. He was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in 1921. After WWI, he became CGG’s Regimental Adjutant.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
June 27, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
June 27, 2026