Private Roger Gaudet

Baptized Joseph Arthur Roger Gaudet, Son of Oliva Gaudet and Marie Anne Bouchard of Sherbrooke, Québec. Husband of Rita Desrochers of Sherbrooke. Father of Jacques and Claude Gaudet.

He was a cadet in Victoriaville, Arthabaska, Quebec, then served in the 54th Sherbrooke Regiment – NPAM – serial number 399, in the Sherbrooke Fusiliers – NPAM – serial number 50737 from September 7, 1940, to July 31, 1941. He enlisted at the 4th Military District Depot in Sherbrooke on July 31 in the Royal 22nd Regiment, service number D-124774. 

On August 25, 1943, he embarked for Great Britain and arrived on September 1. Assigned to the Mediterranean theater of operations, he was incorporated into Force M. He embarked on February 19, 1944, and landed on the Italian mainland on March 3 to take part in combat along the Gothic Line at Borgo Santa Maria with the 1st Battalion. 

On September 14, 1944, at around 4 a.m., enemy artillery opened fire on Mount Marano. From the first salvoes, the lead platoon took two direct hits and lost twelve men, three of whom were killed. Gaudet was seriously wounded and died of his injuries the same day. He was buried in Pesaro on the 15th, in grave number 2. Around October 9, 1945, his body was exhumed and reburied in Gradara. He had served 1,466 days, including 386 days overseas.