Keith Macgowan fonds
| Record No. | SC074 |
| Main Entry | Macgowan, Keith C. (Keith Campbell), 1890-1934 |
| Title | Keith Macgowan fonds |
| Dates | 1916-1919 |
| Physical Description | 13 cm of textual records. -- 12 maps. -- 29 photographs. |
| Bio/Admin History | Macgowan was born in Gowan Brae, PEI, and died in New Westminster, BC. Macgowan was admitted to the bar in 1912, and joined his brother-in-law's firm as a partner. He joined the 131st Battalion of the New Westminster Regiment in 1916 . Later he was drafted to the 47th regiment and eventually promoted to the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Military Cross at Vimy, Passchendaele, and Valenciennes. Having the MC with two bars is regarded as an extraordinary feat. During his wartime service, he was also engaged in scouting missions and providing legal work for army. According to a letter sent to Macgowan on 5 April 1919 from his men, he was held in high regard by the men in his command as a "sympathetic, staunch and loyal friend and adviser." |
| Scope and Content | The fonds consists of holograph correspondence written primarily to his mother from the trenches and war front in Europe, together with a typescript transcription of the letters; a photograph of Macgowan with (apparently) two members of his battalion; programme for a Brussels Ball; clippings; and 11 maps used by Macgowan to direct his troops in battle. Also included are aerial photographs of three regions of north-west France together with a map of north-west France (Denain region). Some of the photographs have holograph additions to them, largely for the purpose of identification of towns or other significant features. |
| Title Source | Title based on the contents of the fonds. |
| Finding Aids | Transcription of letters available. |
| Online Finding Aids | Letters from Keith Campbell Macgowan (PDF, 717 kB) |
| Restrictions | |
| Notes | See also similar air photographs in MM194. Citations for the awarding of his Military Cross are available online. |
| Provenance | Macgowan, Keith C. (Keith Campbell), 1890-1934 |
| Repository | University of Victoria Libraries Special Collections |
| Subject Headings | Canada. Canadian Army. Canadian Expeditionary Force. New Westminster Regiment. 131st Battalion Canada. Canadian Army. Canadian Expeditionary Force. New Westminster Regiment. 47th Battalion Macgowan, Keith C. (Keith Campbell), 1890-1934 Macgowan, Keith C. (Keith Campbell), 1890-1934--Correspondence Military Cross (Great Britain) Valenciennes, Battle of, 1918 Vimy Ridge, Battle of, 1917 World War, 1914 -1918--Maps World War, 1914 -1918--Personal narratives--Canadian World War, 1914 -1918--Photographs Ypres, 3rd Battle of, Ieper, Belgium, 1917 |
| Related Links | Military History Collections First Military Cross Second Military Cross |