Percy Molson

Percival Molson was the great-grandson of John Molson, who founded Molson Brewery in 1786. Percival was educated at McGill, graduating in 1900, and serving as Senior Class President. Noted to be a star track athlete at McGill, he continued to compete in track & field after graduation. At the 1903 AAU Championships (US), Molson won the long jump, placed third in the 880 yards, and sixth in the 100 yards. He continues to appear on Canadian track & field lists through 1905, recording an estimated 2:01.0 for the 880 yards that year in Montréal.

In World War I, Molson formed an infantry company from former McGill grads, to help reinforce the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry. On 2 June 1916, in the Battle of Mount Sorrel, the Patricias occupied Sanctuary Wood, but the No. 1 Company was practically wiped out. Lieutenant Molson was noted “to lead a desperate and successful resistance to German attacks”. Molson survived the attacks but was wounded. He returned to action in July 1917, and on 5 July 1917, his company was in support on the western outskirts of Avion, when he was killed by a direct hit from a trench mortar shell. His will was found to include a bequest of $75,000 for the erection of an athletic stadium at McGill, which was later named in his honor, the Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

Personal Bests: 100y – 10.2 (1903); 440y – 49.6 (1903); 880y – 2:01.0e (1903); LJ – 22-2½ [6.77] (1903).