Canada in the Second World War

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Canada in the Second World War>Witnesses to History>Joseph Guillaume Duguay

Joseph Guillaume Duguay

Guillaume was from, Shemogué, a small fishing village in southwestern of the New Brunswick. On July 11, 1940, at the age of 27 he enlisted in the army in Moncton. On June 6, 1944, he was with the 14th Field Ambulance unit of the Royal Canadian Medical Corps unit when he was killed in action in Normandy.

The second of eight children, he had to work at a very young age to support his siblings and parents, as the father became unable to work because of an accident.

His Sister Elisa told about her brother that his goodness and his generosity was on her face!

With emotion, she told that it was her brother Guillaume who had offered her his first pair of shoes. For before, as in all poor families of the time, she had always worn those of her elders.

At 95, she never forgot the pretty blue box he had arrived with that day that contained such precious shoes. She also mentioned the rosary he had offered her later.

Guillaume had been loved by all since his early childhood, and the announcement of his death in France had shaken the entire small community of SHEMOGUÉ.

Guillaume Duguay was engaged and he was to marry Sarah Arsenault,who remained faith ful to him for the rest of his life.