#10606, Harold Willis GAYE

Harold's father was Robert Edward Gaye (1849-1943) and his mother was Maria Elizabeth Willis (1849-1939). When not in barracks he lived in Harwich St. Nicholas, Essex and Urmston, Lancashire.

He joined the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) which had been formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot and the 109th Regiment (Bombay Infantry).  These two regimants had been raised in 1858 and 1853 respectively, The 100th/109th was one of 8 Irish regiments raised largely in Ireland with its home depot at Birr Barracks.  Photographs of the barracks and of his comrades feature prominently in his family photo album.  The regiment was disbanded with the partition of Ireland in 1922.  The 5 regimental colours were laid up in St. George's Hall in Windsor Castle in the presence of HM King George V and the officers mess silver, known as The Leinster Plate was given 'in trust' to the Royal Military College of Canada 'until such time as the Battalion is raised again.'  It is on display at Royal Military College of Canada in the Senior Staff Mess and Museum (Fort Frederic).

The Edinburgh Gazette of 11th February 1921 records the award of the Croix de Guerre to Major Harold Willis Gaye