Goee, Andrew

 

Early Life: Andrew was born April 1, 1883, St. Roche, Quebec.  It is known he had a sister, Josephine, however, several searches using different spelling variations of the surname has resulted in no information about Andrew or Josephine nor their parents. Thus, most of the information for Andrew is taken from his Military file. Further, his only connection to Kenora appears to be that he was working as a Trader, in Shoal Lake, Ontario, in 1916, prior to enlisting.

War Experience: Andrew (also known as Andre) enlisted March 22, 1916, in Kenora, Ontario, with the 94^th Battalion.  Other records on his file indicate the date was April 5^th. His Regimental Number was 199291.  At the time, he was 33 years of age and single. His faith was Roman Catholic. Andrew is described as having a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark or black hair. He stood 5 feet, 5 inches tall. He named his sister, Mrs. Josephine Collin, Car Shops, Montreal, as his next of kin, and his pay was initially assigned to her. In 1917, Andrew changed his pay assignment to Mme. Arthemie Lebel, at 19 Rue Bellevue, Riviere du Loup, Quebec.

On June 28, Private Goee sailed out of Halifax on the S.S. Olympia, arriving in Liverpool, England, July 6th.  Shortly after, Andrew was transferred to the 32nd Battalion. Then on September 27, 1916, he was taken on strength with the 5th Canadian Battalion, going directly to France where he was immediately sent into the field of battle.  Andrew remained with the 5th throughout his time in service.  In November, he received treatment four times for influenza and returned to his unit, in the field, December 2nd.

On the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9, 1917, Andrew was seriously wounded. He was taken to Boulogne hospital with a severe gunshot would to his right leg, and shrapnel in his right arm at the elbow and in his right chest. Diagnosed as dangerously ill, his leg was amputated below the thigh and he was taken to King’s Hospital in London.   Andrew received treatment over the next several months and was removed to Canada October 1917, on the HMHS Araguaya, where was admitted to the Ontario Military Hospital in Toronto. After several more months, he was transferred to hospital in Montreal where he was treated until June 6, 1918. His right arm and hand were left weak and there was permanent scarring on his elbow and right chest.   Throughout his hospitalization, Private Goee was identified as having a very good attitude.   Andrew was honourably discharged from service with the 5^th Battalion, on November 29, 1918 in Quebec. One of his final reports stated he was an Engineer before enlisting. Another stated he was a Labourer. Both of these differ from his attestation papers. His address, at discharge, was 64 Hermine, St., Quebec City, Quebec.

Life After the War: It is not known to whom or when Andrew married; however, a clue is found in his military pay record. It states that Andrew was married, and, on November 30, 1918, a day after Andrew’s discharge, his pay was sent to Mrs. Andrew Goee at 6 Hermine St., St. Sauveur, Quebec. The street number differs from that of Andrew’s.  Could his wife have been Mme. Arthemie Lebel to whom he had earlier assigned his pay? In June 1922, Andrew’s military file shows him living at 34 Mark St., Riviere du Loup, Quebec. An exhaustive search of the surname Goee and several variations in the 1921 census in Riviere du Loup was unsuccessful.   Also unsuccessful was a search on Hermine Street in the ward of St. Sauveur in the city of Quebec. Thus, it appears Andrew moved to Riviere du Loup after the 1921 census; and, had also moved from 6 or 64 Hermine Street, before the 1921 census.   No further records have been located for Andrew, at this time.

Death: Andrew died July 7, 1957 at Ste. Foy Hospital in Ste. Foy, Quebec. His death was reported by his daughter, Mrs. Louise Belleau, 720 Champlain Street, Quebec City.

Prepared by Susan [Hillman] Brazeau

Sources:

Library and Archives Canada: Military Personnel Records; 1921 Quebec census
Kenora Miner and News:   94^th Battalion articles
Death card

Other Resources Accessed:
Ancestry.ca:   Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages; Census Records; Voters’ lists
Drouin Collection:  Births, Deaths and Marriages

Surnames searched: Goee, Gooe, Guay, Collin, Collins, Lebel, Belleau

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