The O'Leary Collection—Medals of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Lieut. Jean Paul Amiot

Royal Canadian Artillery
The Royal Canadian Regiment

By: Capt (ret'd) Michael M. O'Leary, CD, The RCR

Jean-Paul Amiot was born at Montreal, Quebec, on 1 Jan 1916. The oldest of three children born to parents Gustave and Bernadette (nee Prévost), Amiot had two younger sisters, Suzanne and Madelaine.

After eight years at collège Mount Saint-Louis, Amiot received a Diploma of Graduation for completing a Bachelor of Science degree in 1935. After graduation he worked for a year with the Montreal advertising firm McKim. Before enlisting to serve during the Second World War, he had been employed for seven years by C.I.L. Montreal as a Chief Clerk.

Paul Amiot enlisted in the Canadian Army on 17 Oct 1941 and was taken on the strength of the Mount Saint-Louis Canadian Officers Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) on 24 Oct 1941. As a potential candidate for officer training, Army Form M.F.M. 131; Recommendation for Appointment to a Commission, was started on his service record. A bilingual candidate for officer training, Amiot stated that his desired corps was the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. A secondary clause to that preference was added and separately initialed: "or any other Arm of the Service." The Officer Commanding the Saint-Louis Contingent COTC noted the following recommendation: "A gentleman, hard and intelligent worker. Highly recommended for R.C.A.S.C."

On 16 Jun 1942, Amiot joined the Canadian Army for active service in the Second World War. He enrolled as a Private under consideration for officer training, and was taken on the strength of No. 4 District Depot. He was assigned the regimental number D-136127. An unmarried office clerk at Montreal, Amiot identified his father as his next of kin. Amiot declared his previous service with the Mont-St-Louis C.O.T.C. and confirmed that his religious denomination was Roman Catholic.

Two days after his enlistment, on 18 Jun 1942, Amiot proceeded On Command (i.e., a temporary duty assignment without changing parent units) and was attached for all purposes to the Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre (C.A. (B.) T.C.) No. 44 at St Jerome, Quebec. While at this training centre he completed Pre-O.T.C. [Officer Training Centre] training. On 17 Jul 1942, Amiot was granted the status of "Cadet" for officer training and was posted to the Cadet Wing of T.C. No. 44. As a cadet, his rate of pay was $3.00 per day. Amiot was struck off the strength of T.C. No. 44 on 14 Aug 1942 and the following day he proceeded to the O.T.C. Brockville for his qualification training as an officer.

Paul Amiot was appointed to commissioned rank on 5 Dec 1942 and promoted to the rank of (Provisional) 2nd Lieutenant at O.T.C. Brockville. Amiot's M.F.M. 131 form was signed by the Officer Commanding the O.T.C. at Brockville, Colonel Milton F. Gregg, V.C. Over Gregg's signature were the entries:

"Report of Candidate: A little slow, but worked hard, should do well with further training.

"Recommendation: Recommended for a Commission."

Having qualified as a 2nd Lieut., Amiot ceased to be attached to the O.T.C. for all purposes on transfer to A-2 Royal Canadian Artillery Training Centre (R.C.A.T.C.), Petawawa, Ont., on 11 Dec 1942. While training at Petawawa, Amiot suffered an injury on 19 Jan 1943 while on the ranges. Reporting to the Medical Officer for a "lower back muscles strain," his report of injuries provided: "At 11.30 hrs, area I-2 Wing shoot – lifting 25 lb gun platform, gave a good pull and felt a sharp sudden pain in lower back."

His back injury did not hinder the pace of Amiot's training. On 23 Mar 1943, he qualified as a 3rd Class Driver. His promotion to "Lieut Arty (M)" was published in Canadian Army Routine Orders, effective 25 Mar 1943. Qualified in his trade, Amiot was now ready to be deployed overseas.

On 30 May 1943 Amiot was struck off the strength of A-2 R.C.A.T.C. for all purposes on proceeding overseas. He was subsequently struck off the strength of the Canadian Army (Canada) on 1 Jun 1943 on embarkation and taken on the strength of the Canadian Army (Overseas).

Amiot disembarked in the United Kingdom on 16 Jun 1943 and was taken on the strength of No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (C.A.R.U.). Before the end of the month, on 27 Jun 1943, he was attached to the base and attended course "C18" (Motorcycle (M/C) Orderly). In July he also completed training a Driver I/C Course. Taking a break in his training schedule, Amiot was sent on nine days leave commencing 16 Aug 1943.

On 28 Aug 1943, Amiot was attached for all purposes to 5 Wing, Canadian Training School (C.T.S.) to attend the R.C.A. Battle Course which lasted until 25 Sep 1943.

Amiot's father, R. Gustave Amiot, died at Montreal on 14 Apr 1944. Gustave's death notice in The Gazette of Montreal the following day noted that he was survived by: "…a son, Lt. Jean-Paul Amiot. on active service overseas…" A more expansive obituary printed a few day later included the information that: "Mr. Amiot's son, Lt. Jean-Paul Amiot, is serving overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery." After his father's death, Amiot changed his next of kin on record to his mother, Mde Bernadette Amiot, 3794 Vandome, Montreal, P.Q.

Amiot was soon back in training, he attended a C.M.H.Q. Course on Mine Clearing from 21 to 29 Jun 1944. Between July and September 1944, Amiot was on and off course and moving between training establishments. For much of that period he was on the No. 2 Canadian Army Reinforcement Units (C.A.R.U.) "X-5" List. The X-5 list contained the names of personnel on courses of 21 days or longer in the theatre of war. While the United Kingdom was not considered the theatre of war for most purposes, for the X-5 lists, it probably served to distinguish training there from that conducted in Canada.

On 17 Sep 1944, Amiot ceased attachment to the Canadian School of Artillery and proceeded on an Officers Conversion Course for the Canadian Infantry Corps (C.I.C.) at 4 Training Wing C.T.S. At a time when infantry reinforcements were in short supply and other corps had more than they needed, it was not uncommon for retraining and reassignment to occur. After completing conversion training, C.M.H.Q. Course No. 1201, Serial 1 (Battle Drill) and qualified "Q2" Fair, Amiot was stuck off the strength of the X-5 List on posting to No. 6 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (C.I.R.U.) on 28 Oct 1944.

Amiot proceeded on nine days Special Leave from 28 Oct to 6 Nov 1944. On 29 Oct 1944, he was transferred to the C.I.C. from the R.C.A., being permitted to retain his rank and seniority.

On 12 Dec 1944, Amiot was struck off the strength of the Canadian Army in the UK on embarkation for the Mediterranean theatre. The following day, while at sea, he was considered to be taken on the strength of the Canadian Army (Central Mediterranean Force). Amiot disembarked in Italy on 24 Dec 1944. He was initially designated as a reinforcement officer for the Royal 22nd Regiment (R22eR), the Van Doos.

On arrival in Italy, Amiot proceeded to the 4th Battalion of the 1st Division's Reinforcement Depot. From 4 Jan 1945, he was held against the X-4 List, unposted reinforcements in the theatre of war belonging to a unit or corps. Amiot's affiliated regiment changed on 9 Jan 1945, when he was struck off the R22eR X-4 List and posted to the "Training Increment" of The Royal Canadian Regiment. Between 30 Jan and 5 Feb 1945, Amiot was briefly shown again on the R22eR X-4 List before returning to The RCR Training Increment (T.I.).

It was with The RCR that Amiot finally arrived in the field with an operational unit during the 1st Canadian Division's final months in Italy. Amiot is shown on the nominal roll of The RCR for the Regiment's movement from northern Italy to Southern France. Listed as one of three officers under the designation "Training Increment," Amiot is struck from the strength of the Canadian Army (C.M.F.) on 8 Mar 1945 and the following day he landed in France.

Amiot's status would change once again on 8 Apr 1945, when he was formally taken on the strength of The RCR. A month later, on 4 May 1945, the German forces in the Netherlands surrendered. At the termination of hostilities, Paul Amiot is identified in the regimental history of The RCR (Stevens, 1966) as a platoon commander in "B" Company.

Four months after hostilities ceased, Amiot began his journey homeward when he went from Northwest Europe to England on 3 Sep 1945. In England he was granted 10 days leave with a ration allowance from 6 to 16 Sep 1945. A week after returning from leave, on 23 Sep 1945, Amiot was struck off the strength of the Canadian Army (Overseas) when he sailed for Canada.

Amiot was taken on the strength of No. 4 District Depot, Montreal, on 24 Sep 1945. Once he was back on Canadian soil, he was granted leave with ration allowance from 3 Oct to 1 Nov 1945. Amiot was later granted Leave without pay and allowances from 12 Dec 1945.

Amiot ceased to be on leave when he was struck off the strength of the Canadian Army (Active) and placed on the Reserve of Active Officers on 13 May 1946. For his operational service with the Canadian Army from 13 Dec 1944 to 8 May 1945, Amiot was entitled to receive five medals:

On being discharged, Amiot was granted $100 clothing allowance and 30 days pay. His intended address after discharge was 246 Labonte St., Longueuil, Montreal 23, Quebec,

A Department of Veterans Affairs form assessing Amiot's suitability for post-discharge employment was completed on 13 May 1946. This form noted that Amiot was currently employed by J.M. Lachance, 739 Cathcart St,, Montreal. The counselor's notes included:

"Mr. Amiot has had a good record of service. Was previously employed by a Chemical Manufacturer doing clerical work, sales and purchasing. He has now been taken in as Sales manager of a new company with the option of taking on a partnership in the business later on. His education and occupational background appear to suit him for this work. Alternative suitable employment would be office manager, chief clerk or office clerk."

Amiot continued military service in the Canadian Militia after the war. The Canada Gazette edition on 22 Nov 1947 includes the following notice for officers appointed to the Fusiliers Du St Laurent: "Lt. J.P. Amiot, to be Lt. And to be T/Capt., 1 Aug 1946 and is transferred from the Supp. Res."

Amiot was admitted to Queen Mary's Veterans Hospital on 6 May 1957 with an initial diagnosis of "Anxiety reaction." This was later supplemented by the additional diagnosis of "Secondary alcoholism." The admission note in his records state:

"This 41 year old patient, married, R/C, 2 children, insurance agent, was admitted to 1-A complaining of tension, nervousness, anxiety and also has an old history of chronic alcoholism for the past 10 years."

Prior to discharge from hospital, Amiot's case summary stated:

"This 41 year old lieutenant, married, was admitted on 6.5.57 complaining of tension and anxiety. He has been in insurance for number of years and apparently his business has failed lately. For that reason he was discouraged and began to overindulge in alcohol.

""He received modified insulin treatment and individual psychotherapy. His condition improved very quickly and patient showed great interest joining group physiotherapy for alcoholics on the ward and A.A.'s evening meetings at the hospital. He is considered ready to be discharged."

"(6.5.57) Personal History: He was born in Montreal in 1916. he is the eldest of 3 siblings. Has 2 sisters – one married, 37, the second is single, 30, and lives with her mother in Montreal.

"Education: Patient attended school and received his B.Sc. Degree at 19 and started to work at this time in an advertising company for 9 months to get more experiences and this way he lost the energy to push further in his studies to become engineer. He got many positions since then in the Canadian Industries Limited and Defence Industries Limited until 1941 when he joined the army.

"Service: He was promoted Lieutenant in the Artillery, was overseas from 1942-45 where apparently he began to overindulge in alcohol. When he returned from overseas, he got married in April, 1946, at 30, with a R/C girl 2 years younger than he. Her mother was a French women from France and her father was Irish. He met his wife in 1941 in the company where he as working (Defence Industries Ltd.). Actually he has 2 children, a boy 10 and a girl 7. His relationship with his wife is not so satisfactory for the last 2 years, they always argue about his alcoholism.

"Since his discharge from the army in 1946, the patient works as an insurance agent until 1953, At that time he was successful in his work and well appreciated by his employers. In spite of this he gave up his job and founded a private insurance company with a friend of his, but this did not work and patient was so discouraged that he started to drink heavily, after which he gave up his business and returned to his first employers and became a district manager of Eastern Townships in Sherbrooke. He sold his house in St-Lambert and moved to Sherbrooke when he found out that the position had not been arranged. He became very depressed because of this and after a few months he returned to Montreal after resigning from this company.

"Actually he plans to work again in insurance agency but on salary instead [of] living on commission as before because this would give him more security. He will try again – not being in contact with the customers will prevent him from drinking. He is well motivated for treatment. He seems to be nervous but not so depressed. No evidence of psychosis.

"Impression: Anxiety reaction with secondary alcoholism.

"(15.5.57) Patient is on modified insulin treatment since 8.5.57. He feels more relaxed. He attends A.A. meetings at the hospital also group psychotherapy with other alcoholics. He is cooperative and mixes well with the group. We discuss in private sessions his own problems.

"(15.5.57) Psychologist's Report: "This patient was administered the Wechsler Bellevue Intelligence Scale For I (short form). He was extremely anxious when he entered the test situation and throughout the whole testing period. His intellectual capacities are at the very superior level, his IQ being approximately 128."

"(23.5.57) Patient's condition is improving constantly. Patient feels better but is worried about his financial problem concerning hospital bills.

"(29.5.57) Patient is still on modified insulin. Since 2 days he complains of physical discomfort during his treatment and gets confused. His family problem seems to be cleared up. His wife is actually working. Patient is able to be discharged. We will continue insulin treatment on 1.6.57. His physical and psychological conditions are satisfactory.

"(6.6.57) Patient will be discharged tomorrow."

Amiot's wife, Mary Walsh, died on 26 Jun 1990.

Paul Amiot died at Montreal on 19 May 1997. An obituary notice was published in the La Presse edition of 23 May 1997. The notice (translated by Google) read:

"AMIOT, Jean-Paul in Montreal, May 19, 1997 at the age of 81 years. Passed away, Jean-Paul Amiot, husband of the late Mary Walsh. He leaves to mourn his children: Michel (Johanne de La Salle), Elise (Leo Simoneau), his four grandchildren, Jean-Philippe, Alexander, Louis and André, his two sisters, Suzanne Leclair and Madeleine Amiot. He also leaves several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Mr. Amiot was retired from the Industrial-Alliance Company, served and was decorated as a captain in the Second World War. At his request he will not be exposed. A funeral service in the presence of ashes will be celebrated on Monday, May 26th. at 1 pm, at the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges church. The family will receive condolences from relatives and friends an hour before church service. Donations to the Little Brothers of the Poor. 4624 Gamier. Mtl. H2J 9Z9 would be appreciated."

Amiot is commemorated on the family's grave marker in the Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges in Montreal.

Pro Patria

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