ROBERT JOHN GARDINER, M. D..  
	The medical profession of Biggar finds a worthy representative in
Dr. Robert John Gardiner, who has practiced here since the close of the
World war. He was born in Newboyne, Ontario, on the 21st of Decem-
ber, 1880, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Cawley) Gardiner, natives of
Ireland. His parents came to Canada when children, with their parents,
and after reaching man's estate the father engaged in the mercantile
business. He operated a store in Smith Falls, Ontario, for the greater
part of his life and was one of the highly esteemed and respected citizens
of the community. Mr. Gardiner died in April, 1905, and is survived by
his widow, who continues to live in Smith Falls.
	The public schools of Smith Falls afforded Robert John Gardiner his
preliminary education and after graduating from high school he en-
rolled in McGill University at Montreal, from which institution he was
graduated with the M. D. degree in 1902. He then went to England and
for the next two years was on the staff of various hospitals in London.
Returning to Canada he located in Toronto and practiced there four
years.  During that time his health was impaired and he withdrew
from practice for one year. Regaining his health, he removed to Craig-
mount, Ontario, and there practiced for three years. In 1912 he located
in Saskatoon and was practicing there upon the outbreak of the Great
war. He enlisted in the army, and went overseas as medical officer of
the Thirty-second Battalion in 1915 and was subsequently, in the month
of April that year, transferred to the Second Battalion, First Canadian
Division. He served with that division throughout the war as medical
officer, being connected with the Second Battalion, the Fifteenth Bat-
talion, Fifth Battalion, Sixteenth Battalion, First Canadian Field Am-
bulance Corps and Second Canadian Field Ambulance Corps, which he
commanded as lieutenant colonel. He was wounded on the 12th of April,
1917, and shortly afterward was awarded the Military Cross.  On the
14th of June, 1919, he received his honorable discharge, with the rank
of lieutenant colonel, on active strength of the Canadian Army Medical
Corps. At the close of the war he came to Biggar, opened offices for the
practice of his chosen profession, and has become one of the most promi-
nent and skilled physicians and surgeons of the community, district and
province.
	On the 4th of December, 1914, Dr. Gardiner was married to Miss
Elizabeth Phillips. They are consistent members of the Church of Eng-
land and are prominent socially. The Doctor is a Conservative in his
political views and fraternally is identified with the Masons.  Along
strictly professional lines he holds membership in the Canadian, Sas-
katchewan and British Medical Associations and he is a Licentiate of the
Royal College of Physicians and a member of the Royal College of Sur-
geons.

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