Please lay a poppy on this site.
In memory of:

Private Philias Gigault (Gigant)

Military service

Service number: 448883
Age: 24
Rank: Private
Force: Army
Unit/Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Division: 22nd Bn.
Birth: December 2, 1891 Valleyfield, Beauharnois, Québec
Enlistment: November 2, 1915 Trois-Rivières, Mauricie, Québec
Death: October 4, 1916 Courcelette, Somme, France

Burial/memorial information

Additional information

Baptized Joseph-Philias Gégoux. Son of Philias Gégoux and Georgiana Legros (deceased in 1912), of Valleyfield, Beauharnois, Québec. He signed « Gigaut » in 1915 when he enlisted, « Gigault » in 1916 in his will. He was therefore inscribed « Gigault » in the Book of Remembrance. However, his name was incorrectly inscribed « Gigant » on the Vimy Memorial.

Enlisted in the 57th Reserve Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he sailed for Great Britain on June 2, 1916, and landed in Liverpool, England, on the 8th. That same day, he was assigned to the 69th Battalion in Otterpool. He was transferred to the 22nd Battalion on August 27 and left for France on the 29th, arriving the same day. From September 18 to 20, he was loaned to the 2nd Canadian Entrenchment Battalion. On the 20th, he returned to the 22nd Battalion and went to the front on the 22nd. On October 4, 1916, he was reported missing during the fighting to capture Regina Trench during the Battle of Courcelette, Somme. He was presumed killed on October 8, 1917, and his death was confirmed on the 16th. His body was never found.

Moreover, his father always signed « Gégoux » and his family members often listed as « Gigoux », and that spelling was engraved on the Valleyfield cenotaph.

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 91 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page Download this page

 

The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.

Did we miss something?

Contribute information to this commemorative page

Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.