True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: November, 2022
Reg#10111, Corporal Arthur J. H. Gahagan
by J. J. Healy,
RCMP Vets Ottawa, ON
Reg.#10111, Corporal Joseph Henry Arthur 'Art' Gahagan was my wife, Cathy's, grandfather. He was born in 1900 in Quinnville, QC. He was the youngest of nine children and when he left the family farm, he initially found work in Cornwall at the paper mill. However, he had always had an interest in policing and in 1925, he joined the RCMP. After Basic Recruit Training, his entire Troop was sent to Ottawa, ON and Corporal Gahagan spent his police career on federal duties in the Ottawa area.
His work was varied and a lot depended on which events had been prioritized for the day. At this time, post-war, the government was concerned over security and focus in Ottawa was given to the protection of federal properties, VIP’s and dignitaries. Corporal Gahagan had a passion for cars and anything with a motor. In July 1927, he went out to the Ottawa airfield to see Charles Lindberg who was arriving as a special guest as part of Canada’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Art was delighted to have the opportunity to actually sit in ‘The Spirit of St. Louis’. He also became a qualified motorcyclist and was very pleased to be assigned to motorcycle duties on the Hill. His daughter, Eileen, recalled how she and her siblings would plead with their dad for a ride in the sidecar.
Corporal Gahagan and his wife had four children. Their only son, Gerald, could recall vivid memories about his father especially leaving home for work in the morning in his RCMP garb. Gerald recalled a humorous incident which happened at their home in downtown Ottawa.
It just so happened that in the good spring and summer weather, Art and his wife would sit on their front veranda on McLaren St. in Centretown. Very often, a needy man or woman would pass their home. More often than not the person in need would ask for something to drink or maybe a sandwich. Over time, Mrs. Gahagan had become accustomed to these requests for food and drink so each day she prepared a few snacks so that she would be ready to sit with her husband on their veranda after he returned home from his police duties. However, sometimes Corporal Gahagan would come home from work a few minutes late and this tardiness caused Mrs. Gahagan anxiety. The reason?
Corporal Gahagan wore his RCMP uniform to and from work. Mrs Gahagan was afraid that her needy 'visitors' would be frightened by the presence of her husband in RCMP uniform. So, when he arrived home, he was whisked immediately into their bedroom to change out of his official uniform and don 'civilian' clothes. In this fashion, Mrs Gahagan could relax and leisurely talk with the needy while passing out much appreciated food.
After a twenty-five year career with the Force, Corporal Gahagan retired and immediately joined the Ottawa Corps of Commissionaires for another career related to the security of the National Capital Region. He worked for many years at the National Research Council. His retirement date from the Corps of Commissionaires was April 30, 1973. On that day, which was meant to be his last day of work, he suffered a stroke while on duty. Sadly, he died two days later at age 72. He did not live to enjoy one day of his retirement. He gave 48 years of service to the protection of our city and worked with great dedication to upholding law and order. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He penned the following lines to his daughter, Sheila, on 25 Dec 1943:
“The thing that goes the farthest towards making life worthwhile, that’s worth the most and costs the least is just a pleasant smile.”
Corporal J. H. Arthur 'Art' Gahagan was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, ON.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
October 10th, 2022
