Fonds med-672 - Percy Gayner fonds

Percival Harold Gayner was born in Bristol, England in 1890 and emigrated to Canada in 1910. Records indicate that he made his way West, working as a salesman in Moose Jaw in 1911 and in Medicine Hat in 1913. In 1916, he enlisted in the C.E.F. and at the end of the war was acting captain of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division (196th Battalion). On Armistice Day his platoon was just outside Mons and was actively engaged by the enemy and, just a few hours later, the platoon joined General Currie in Mons to join in the celebrations. He returned to Medicine Hat where he and his wife were involved in all aspects of the Medicine Hat Operatic Society. Percy was a gifted comedic actor and played many leading roles in productions at the Empress Theatre in the early to mid 1920's, to rave reviews. By 1927 he and his wife had moved to Lethbridge. There he worked in the insurance and brokerage business before joining CJOC radio from 1931-1934 as station manager. In 1934 he was appointed manager of the CJCA radio station in Edmonton and later moved on to Toronto to be vice-president of United Broadcast Sales.