Gavin, Frank

Frank Gavin was born July 21, 1932 in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood. His parents both came from Ireland, and Frank’s father had been part of the 1916 Uprising against the British; during World War two they both worked in the munitions factories that were all over Toronto – their new homeland. Frank grew up alongside five sisters, and he recalls that “he took his lumps”.  The family relocated to Scarborough, and Frank recalls that he was a tough kid there, getting into lots of fights.  He was 18 when he learned about the Korean War, and he made the decision to enlist. Basic training ensued, and soon enough he was on his way to Fort Lewis in Washington and then Korea. Frank served in the Royal Canadian Regiment, and they arrived in Pusan in 1951. From there Frank – with his Bren gun – participated in the patrols and hilltop battles that typified that war, and he experienced the shelling, Chinese advances, and the difficulties associated with the terrain and the climate.  He also witnessed the devastation in Seoul and the suffering experienced by Korean civilians. Frank contracted malaria while in Korea, and he was also taken prisoner by the Chinese on one occasion – but quick thinking and quicker legs managed to save him on that occasion! Frank made it home to Toronto, where he found a few jobs en route to joining the fire department, and that is where he made his career. Frank Gavin was interviewed by Zach Dunn and Scott Masters at his home in Welland in May 2026.