Source: Remembering the Great War by the WR Record
His brother, Stephen Gough, reg. no. 477354 served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment and survived the war.
Summary of Service for Private James Gough, reg. no. 400729
| Date | Event | Remarks |
| Born | June 2, 1892 | Born at Larne, Ireland. His mother is Margaret E. Gough. |
| Enlists | March 3, 1915 | Enlist at London, Ontario. He is assigned to “D” Company, 33rd Battalion. He lists his sister, Mrs. E. Minor of James Street, St. Marys, Ontario as his next-of-kin. He is a single labourer standing 5’7” tall. He is a member of the Church of England. |
| March 1915 | Inoculated and Vaccinated[i] | |
| April 1915 | Assigns Pay | Assigns 20.00 per month to his sister, Mrs. Ed. Minor. There is a one-time payment of $40.00 in April 1915 to accommodate for his service in March. |
| May 1915 | Forfeits Pay | Forfeits 1-day pay per D.O. 105. ($1.10) |
| June 1915 | Forfeits Pay | Forfeits 3-days pay per D.O. 117. ($3.30) |
| July 1915 | A.W.L. | A.W.L. 1 day. No record of punishment. |
| October 1915 | A.W.L. | A.W.L. 3 day. Docked pay per pay list. |
| November 1915 | A.W.L. | A.W.L. 3 day. Docked pay per pay list. |
| December 1915 | A.W.L. | A.W.L. 1 day. Docked pay per pay list. |
| March 13, 1916 | Unit Sails | |
| March 26, 1916 | Arrives England | Arrives after transiting the Atlantic aboard the S.S. Lapland. |
| May 16, 1916 | Transferred | Transferred to the 18th Battalion. Transits from Shornecliffe to the Canadian Base Depot at Etaples, France. |
| May 17, 1916 | Taken on Strength | Taken on strength in the field. |
| June 4, 1916 | Proceeded to Join Unit | After training and familiarization at the C.B.D. he moves to join the 18th Battalion in the field. |
| June 7, 1916 | Joins Unit | The Battalion is in Flanders and has just entered the front line at Pollock Trench. The War Diary for that date relates: “Position as yesterday. Under authority A/13734 A.Gs. Branch Sgt. W.F. Cole appointed Temp. Lieut. 2 o.r.s wounded. 2 o.r.s (sick) admitted to hospital. 4 o.r.s returned from Base hospital.”
Note that the prior day’s entry indicates 24 other ranks arrived as reinforcements. |
| October 3, 1916 | Killed in Action[ii] | Killed in Action at the Somme and memorialized at Vimy Ridge.
October 3, 1916 was a particularly bad day for the 18th Battalion in regard to casualties. Private Gough was one of 26 18th Battalion soldiers to perish on that day. The War Diary for this date relates: “Battalion moved into reserve at SAUGAGE VALLEY. LIEUT. L.A. BISSELL taken on as reinforcement from 28.9.16. LIEUT. A.E. COCK and 3 wounded, 9 o.r.s. admitted to hospital. 66 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements.” It is the entry on the next day that reflects the losses and indicates they either occurred late on the night of the 3rd or that with the confusion of combat the reporting of casualties was delayed: “Position as yesterday LIEUT. McBRIDE arrived as reinforcement. MAJOR L.E. JONES and MAJOR J.A. McINTHOSH (on duty) reported wounded. 24 o.r.s. reported “Killed in Action.” 78 o.r. reported wounded. 11 o.r.s. reported missing. LIEUT. BISSELL wounded.” |
[i] The medical officer or soldier recording the inoculations and vaccinations did not give a specific date. The number “19” is used for the inoculation notation and no other information is given. The vaccinations simply say “March 1915”
[ii] This soldier’s scroll and plaque were sent to Mrs. E. Gough residing at 9 Sandown Street, Abbey Hey, Gorton, Manchester, England.
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 
God bless you for the work you have done here memorializing these brave soldiers. Many thanks!