Gordon Cunningham

Full Name:

Gordon 
Copeland 
Cunningham

Date of Birth:

March, 
14, 
1917

Place of Birth:

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

Antigonish District:

Lower South River

Service Rank or Number:

Date of Enlistment:

January, 
, 
1942

Location of Enlistment:

Theatres of Service:

Conflicts:

Second World War
Date of Retirement of Discharge:
January, 
, 
1944

Rank on Retirement or Discharge:

Private

Biography

Gordon Copeland Cunningham was born on March 14, 1918, in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and was raised in Antigonish. In 1940, he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was initially posted to Creston, British Columbia. During the Second World War, he served in the Canadian Army from 1944 to 1945. His brother, Gerald Cunningham, also served during the war.

Following the war, Cunningham returned to the RCMP. During a 35-year career, he served in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, eventually becoming Commanding Officer of RCMP “E” Division in British Columbia before retiring in 1975.
Cunningham attended the National Defence College in 1965–66 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of St. John in 1972. He was also involved in Freemasonry, church work, charitable organizations, veterans’ groups, and community service. In 1998, he received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in Winnipeg in recognition of his volunteer service.

Gordon Copeland Cunningham died in Victoria, British Columbia, on August 11, 2002, at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife, Margaret “Lovie” MacDonald, three children, and grandchildren.

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