Percival Talbot Molson (1880 - 1917)

Born 14 Aug 1880 in Cacouna, Quebec, Canada

Ancestors

Died 5 Jul 1917 at age 36 in Avion, near Vimy Ridge, France

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Biography

Percival Molson is Notable.

Captain Percival Molson was KIA during World War I.

Percy was a star athlete. He played on the Stanley Cup championship hockey team the Montreal Victorias in 1897. He competed at the Championships of Canada in 1899, winning gold medals in the 100 yard dash and the 880 yard race. In 1903 at the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States Championships in Milwaukee, he placed first in running broad jump, got a gold medal in the 100 yard dash and a bronze for the 880 yard race.He represented Canada in the 400-metre race at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri.He also played racquet ball and football and was McGill's best all-round athlete three years in a row.

He graduated from McGill University in 1901 with a Bachelor of Arts and a year of Applied Science. After this he worked for the National Trust Company in Montreal.

Molson joined the 2nd University (McGill) Company of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) as Captain in April 1915, and arrived in France later that year in August. In June 1916, he was severely wounded during the Battle of Mount Sorrel at Sanctuary Wood, Belgium, and subsequently received the Military Cross for gallantry and distinguished conduct. After a long convalescence, he resumed service with the PPCLI on June 1, 1917. Weeks later, Molson was killed in action by a shell near Vimy Ridge, France, on July 5, 1917.

Percy left McGill University $75,000 CAN in his will to finish the stadium. They named it after him a few years later.

Sources

• Karen Molson, 2001. The Molsons: Their lives & times, 1780-2000. Firefly Books.
• Douglas Hunter, 2001. Molson: The birth of a business empire. Toronto: Viking.
• Wikipedia page
• Find A Grave
• https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/100-stories/Pages/molson.aspx