RMR Museum Acquires Medals of Private René Mallette, DCM

Article written by Amynte Eygun, Assistant Curator, RMR Museum

Westmount, Quebec – 06 March 2026: The Royal Montreal Regiment Museum is proud to announce the recent acquisition of Private J.R Mallette’s Distinguished Conduct Medal and five additional medals awarded to him during both World War One and World War Two.

Private René Mallette enlisted with the 14th Battalion CEF (RMR) in September 1914 at 23 years old and trained in Valcartier Quebec before sailing to England. Private Mallette served until demobilization, discharged in August 1919. He served primarily with one of the RMR’s two French-Canadian companies, G company, and he fought in the trenches of St. Julien and Mount Sorrel.

In April 1915, Private Mallette was on the frontlines during the Second Battle of Ypres, near St. Julien. He was dangerously wounded by a gunshot wound to the rear, but still managed to carry a wounded comrade to safety, earning himself the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery.

In June 1916, Private Mallette found himself on the frontlines in Ypres once again, this time during the Battle of Mount Sorrel, the deadliest day in RMR history. While the RMR lost 119 killed men that day, Private Mallette luckily survived, but not without wounds. He suffered gunshot wounds to both the left arm and right hand. Private Mallette was discharged at 28 years old, and he returned to his civilian job of chauffeur in Montreal. He got married in 1920 and went on to have three children.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, he re-enlisted but was in his late forties, so he seemingly participated in home service. Private Mallette’s service during the second world war is not well documented, but we know he was awarded both the 1939-1945 War Medal and the WW2 Canadian Volunteer Medal for his service.

Private René Mallette lived until January 2 1983, a few weeks shy of his 92nd birthday and was survived by his wife, three children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. The RMR Museum would like to thank the Mallette/Bougie/Ste-Marie Families for their donation of their grandfather’s medals, and for sharing his story with us.