Private David Gordon Duncan, son of John A. Duncan, enlisted at Toronto, Ontario, with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (R.C.A.S.C.), on September 7, 1939, just days before Canada’s official declaration of war with Germany.

Duncan shipped to England as part of Canada’s First Contingent in December 1939, serving in 1st Corps Ammunition Park, Canadian Active Service Force. He served throughout the war in England and Continental Europe. Collection documents identify “#3 Canadian Medium Regiment Park, R.C.A.S.C.,” as his final unit prior to his return to Canada, having been granted the opportunity of discharge in June 1945 based on his long length of service.

Content notes:
The Duncan materials include a set of five documents issued by the Canadian military to soldiers outlining expectations and procedures governing things such as leave in England (“Leave Without Tears,”) and the process of returning to Canada for discharge. Included with the collection’s letters is a personal greeting from King George VI to members of the “first contingent of the Canadian Forces to reach these shores.”

External links:
Pte. David Duncan’s service record (Serv/Reg# B83849) is not open to public access through Library and Archives Canada at this time.