Corporal Matthew McCully
Corporal Matthew McCully
Corporal Matthew Jonathan Cedric McCully was born on 11 April, 1982 in York, Ontario. He initially enrolled in the CF (Primary Reserve) on 12 February 2001, as a Supply Technician with the Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin, Halton) Regiment, where he completed his Basic Military Qualification, Infantry Communicator and Supply Technician training.
During his time in the Reserves, Cpl McCully was identified as having outstanding leadership potential, a highly professional soldier with an exemplary attitude.
On 17 August 2002, Cpl McCully transferred from the Primary Reserve to the Regular Force as a Signals Operator and was sent to the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) for his Signal Operator Apprenticeship training, which he completed on 13 June 2003. His academic performance and level of physical fitness were both exceptional.
Cpl McCully became a member of A Troop, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (CMBG) HQ & Signals Sqn on 16 June 2003. His positive impact in the troop was felt immediately, while his excellent attitude and love for his work were apparent to everyone around him.
He deployed with the unit from 7 August 2003 to 24 January 2004 on Operation Athena Rotation 0 as a driver/signaller, where he performed his duties with the outstanding professionalism and dedication he was quickly becoming known for. He was described as being a “self-starter” with outstanding technical knowledge and situational awareness. He was the first to assist other detachments once his own duties were completed and was always ready to volunteer for any extra work that arose. He received the General Campaign Star for his service.
After returning from Afghanistan he displayed an interest in parachuting and continued to maintain a high level of physical fitness. In 2004 he completed the four day Nijmegen March of 200 km. In 2005, on his own time and with little preparation, he trained for and completed the 2 CMBG Ironman, finishing 21st overall in the Brigade.
Cpl McCully was recommended for and received an accelerated promotion to the rank of Corporal in the fall of 2005 based on his outstanding performance in all aspects of his work. He was a soldier of exceptional versatility and seemingly unlimited potential. He was highly recommended for further leadership roles as a Master Corporal. His influence on his peers and his sub-ordinates was outstanding and he was a role model for those around him. In his spare time he pursued a love of literature and was an avid runner.
Cpl McCully is survived by his mother Valerie Mary McGrady, father Ronald McCully, sister Shannon McGrady, brother Daniel McGrady, step-father Neal Weise, step-sister Jeri-Anne McCully and step-brother, David McCully.
Family statement
Matt came from a small, close-knit family.
He loved adventurous activities like scuba diving,
parachuting and traveling.
Matt loved being a soldier,
and the military was his extended family.