The Story Of Dr. Dominique Gaspard

A soldier, doctor and activist

The story of Dominique Gaspard began on Dec. 22, 1884 in New Orleans, Louisiana with the birth of himself and his twin brother Barthelmi.

Gaspard spent the first two decades of his life in New Orleans but left in 1905 to study at Séminaire de Saint-Hyacinthein Quebec. This school had provided education to Black Canadians since the 1860s.

In 1911, he completed his studies and enrolled at Université Laval in Montreal to study medicine.

When the First World War began, Gaspard chose to suspend his studies and enlist with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He served at the No. 4 Stationary Hospital from March 1915 to July 1917 with the Canadian Army Medical Corps. The hospital was located just outside Paris.

During his time in France, Gaspard was promoted twice, first to corporal and then to sergeant. In April 1917, he received the Médaille des épidémies du ministère de la Guerre, also known as the Epidemic Medal.

In 1917, Gaspard returned to Canada to continue his medical studies. He graduated from Laval in the spring of 1918.

Now a doctor, he remained in Montreal for the rest of his life. He was heavily involved in the community. He joined various organizations including the Union United Church and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

With his wife Ethel May, he founded the Negro Community Centre in 1927. He also founded the Coloured War Veterans’ Legion in 1935.

Three years later, after a short illness, Gaspard died.

In 1953, the Legion branch he founded was renamed the Dr. Gaspard Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 50 in his honour.

In 2024, he was named a Person of National Historic Significance by Parks Canada.

Sources:

Government of Canada

Concordia

Canadian Encyclopedia

Parks Canada