Bugle-Major Franklyn James Gardiner was born 11 October, 1889 in Bowmanville, Ontario to George Fulton Gardiner and Elizabeth Manuel.

He joined the Bugle Band of the Queen’s Own Rifles in 1908 as a Bugler. In 1910 he went overseas to Aldershot England as part of the Regiment’s contingent led by Major-General Sir Henry Pellatt taking part in maneuvers with the English Army.

Gardiner was an excellent rifle shot, starting in 1912 he joined the rifle team and participated at the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association shoots in 1912 and 1913. He was also a member of the Maple Leaf Rifle Club which he was President of in 1942-43 and 1949-50 and was a member of until 1966.

In 1923 he was promoted to Warrant Officer 2nd Class and appointed as Bugle-Major of the Queen’s Own Rifles a post he held for sixteen years until 1939.

Gardiner volunteered for active service during both the First and Second World Wars but was turned down due a medical condition. He did, however, serve towards the war effort in Canada; from 1916 to 1919 he served at the Polish Army Training Camp at Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario.

In his civilian career he was a salesman, he married Julia Dainty in 1927, they had two daughters, Barb and Sandra, and one son, Frank. Gardiner died in 1968 and is buried in Stephenson Memorial Cemetery, Port Sydney, Ontario along with Julia.

Timeline of Military Service:

• 1908, 1 April, Taken on Strength of QOR;
• 1909, listed as Bugler, Bugle Band Paylist;
• 1910, part of the contingent proceeding to Aldershot, England to participate in maneuvers;
• 1912, shot at Dominion Rifle Association competition;
• 1913, listed as Bugler, Bugle Band Paylist;
• 1913, shot at Dominion Rifle Association competition;
• 1913, member of the Bugler’s Rifle Team winning the Delamere and Benjamin Efficiency Cups;
• 1914, listed as Bugler, Bugle Band Paylist;
• 1914, application for active service in turned down due to medical condition;
• 1915, 19 May, promoted Corporal;
• 1916, 1 Jan – 1919 19 Feb, served at Polish Army Camp, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario;
• 1923, promoted to Warrant Officer 2nd Class and appointed as Bugle-Major;
• 1929, awarded Long-Service Medal;
• 1933, listed as Bugle-Major in photo of Sergeants at Niagara Camp;
• 1937, awarded Silver Jubilee Medal;
• 1939, application for active service turned down due to medical condition;
• 1939, 22 May, listed as Bugle-Major, photo of Bugle Band part of Royal Guard, Union Station, Toronto.