Lieutenant-Colonel G.D. Gillie
&
Major J.H. Shaver
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
After repulsing a counter-attack, he made a most difficult reconnaissance in order to establish an offensive flank, during which he captured three of the enemy. He then entered a and held an enemy trench with a small party for ten hours, defeating two enemy bombing parties. His utter disregard for personal safety was a splendid example to his men.
(Military Cross citation, 26 July 1917)
Born on 17 May 1890 in Cornwall, Ontario, George Douglas Gillie worked for the Department of National Revenue as senior customs official. In March 1916, he enlisted with the 154th Battalion as a lieutenant and joined the 21st Battalion by the end of the year. In April 1917, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer and earned the Military Cross in the skies above Vimy Ridge. He relinquished his commission as a flying officer in 1919 and returned home for demobilization.