With the outbreak of the First World War, he served with the railway troops reserve of the 1st Canadian Division, constructing railways behind the lines of the Western Front, rising to the rank of colonel.
Cahan served as a captain in the 1st Canadian Pioneers during World War I; he was seriously wounded during the war and later died in Halifax at the age of 39 as the result of his wounds.
He then served with the 1st Canadian Division in Sicily and Italy in 1943 before moving to the 3rd Canadian Division France for the invasion of Normandy during the D-Day Landing of 1944.
During World War II, 1 Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division was being inspected by King George VI; there were not enough regulation khaki puttees for issue, so the 48th Highlanders made do with unofficial blue ones.
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Very quickly a contingent of 80 men was formed under Captain George T. Richardson, (for whom George Richardson Stadium in Kingston is named—he became the PWOR’s first officer fatality) and sent to the 2nd (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), of the 1st Canadian Division, which was part of Canada’s First Contingent.