Memory Project

Interview with Barbara Boudreau (Arthur Garnier)

Published Online August 3, 2022

Last Edited May 3, 2023

This testimony is part of the Memory Project Archive

Interview with Barbara Boudreau (Arthur Garnier)
A later article on the Garniers, after more of the children in the family had enlisted.
A later article on the Garniers, after more of the children in the family had enlisted.
A later article on the Garniers, after more of the children in the family had enlisted.
A later article on the Garniers, after more of the children in the family had enlisted.
Special certificate of service issued to Arthur Garnier by Government of Nova Scotia in recognition of the family's extraordinary contribution to the war effort.
Special certificate of service issued to Arthur Garnier by Government of Nova Scotia in recognition of the family's extraordinary contribution to the war effort.
Special certificate of service issued to Arthur Garnier by Government of Nova Scotia in recognition of the family's extraordinary contribution to the war effort.
Special certificate of service issued to Arthur Garnier by Government of Nova Scotia in recognition of the family's extraordinary contribution to the war effort.
Article on Arthur Garnier his children who were all serving in some capacity in the Canadian Armed Forces. March 2, 1940.
Article on Arthur Garnier his children who were all serving in some capacity in the Canadian Armed Forces. March 2, 1940.
Article on Arthur Garnier his children who were all serving in some capacity in the Canadian Armed Forces. March 2, 1940.
Article on Arthur Garnier his children who were all serving in some capacity in the Canadian Armed Forces. March 2, 1940.
Photo of the "Fighting Garniers" outside Chappell's Garage in London, 1943.
Photo of the "Fighting Garniers" outside Chappell's Garage in London, 1943.
Photo of the "Fighting Garniers" outside Chappell's Garage in London, 1943.
Photo of the "Fighting Garniers" outside Chappell's Garage in London, 1943.
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My name is Barbara Boudreau. I was a Garnier before I was married. I came from a long line of family of service people.

During the war, my father, along with four of his brothers and his sister and his father, joined the service. They were called at one time in the Herald and Mail "The Fighting Garniers." They were a well-known family in Halifax. They fought in the war.

My father Harold did not go overseas and was stationed in Newfoundland, but the rest of the family were all stationed overseas.

The father of these six members of the service, Corporal Cyril Garnier, also known as Arthur, was a member of the Canadian Provost Corps, serving in Halifax area. He was a veteran of the First World War, having served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1914-1918, as a Petty Officer Cook. He served in Russia, and Dardanelles, and other actions where the RCN was engaged. He was quite proud of his record, of his family, and to use his words: "They have all made good."

We were very proud of our family. We got recognition in the Herald and Mail during the war as being known as the "Fighting Garniers." They got a beautiful park from the government. Also a congratulations to the family, for so many serving in the war at that time. It meant very, very much to my father. He was very proud of it, and we still have the original copy that was given to them.