Historic Sites of Manitoba: Portage la Prairie War Memorial (Saskatchewan Avenue West, Portage la Prairie)

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First World War | Second World War | Other | Sources

A monument in Portage la Prairie was unveiled on a ceremony on 12 October 1919 to commemorate soldiers from the local area killed during military service.

Portage la Prairie War Memorial (June 2017) Source: George Penner Portage la Prairie War Memorial (May 2023) Source: Jordan Makichuk Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.97292, W98.29185 denoted by symbol on the map above

First World War

Name	Occupation	Service	Rank	Birth Date	Notes
Charles Abbott	Hospital Orderly	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	1876	15 September 1916
Richard Alford	Farmer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	1885	28 September 1918
Alexander Atkinson [St. Andrews, St. Mark’s, Selkirk] A farmer born on 21 April 1873, he was a Private in the 28th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 6 June 1916.
Sidney David Atkinson [St. Andrews, St. Mark’s, Selkirk] A carpenter born in 1895, he was a Private in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. He died on 5 June 1916.
Albert Caston Bailey	Farmer	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1896	26 September 1916
Joseph Herbert Bell A farmer born in 1896, he served as a Private in the 5th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 8 October 1916.
William Cecil Bell Born at Hartley, Ontario in 1891, he was farming in the Oakville area when he enlisted and served as a Private in the 78th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 29 September 1918 and was buried at the Bourlon Wood Cemetery.
Fred Blanchard	Farmer	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1894	6 June 1916
George Albert Boak A farmer born in 1888, he served as a Private in the 44th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 28 September 1918.
William Creighton Bowman [Knox Presbyterian]	Student	1st Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps	Private	10 May 1897	8 August 1918
Charles Edgar Atheling “Dykes” Bredin DSO [Edrans, Next of Kin, Sidney]	Farmer	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Major	18 August 1876	18 November 1917
Andrew Bremner	Labourer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1896	15 April 1917
Frank Telford Brindell [Knox Presbyterian, Next of Kin]	Stenographer	85th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	22 January 1897	2 September 1918
Robert Ashley Bruce	Farmer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1887	10 August 1918
Charles Burdett	Farmer	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1892	5 June 1916
Cecil George Burton [Grace Methodist]	Tinsmith	1st Armoured Regiment, Royal Canadian Dragoons	Lance Corporal	26 July 1891	Born at Eden, Ontario, he died on 10 August 1918 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Joseph Telford Cameron	Bookkeeper	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	1879	27 October 1918
David Kitchener Coburn	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1898	16 August 1918
George William Cochrane A teacher born in 1893, he was a Private in the 46th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 14 April 1917.
George Arthur Cockhead	Fireman	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1880	An Englishman by birth, he died on 21 June 1917 and was buried at the Berlin Communal Cemetery Extension.
George W. Code Born at Flee Island in 1895, his family farmed at High Bluff. He enlisted at Portage la Prairie and served as a Private in the 226th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 10 May 1919 and was buried at the High Bluff Methodist Cemetery.
Percy Robert Cook [St. George's Anglican, Selkirk, Westbourne, 108 Battalion] A farmer born on 8 June 1893, he served as a Private in the 5th Company of Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He died on 7 November 1917.
J. Cooper	?	?	?	?	?
George Henry “Jim” Cooper [Amaranth] A farmer born on 13 November 1896, he served as a Private in the 29th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 20 December 1916.
James Alfred Corfield [Kinosota]	Farmer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	10 December 1895	23 May 1917
Walter Evan Cox-Smith Born at High Bluff in 1896, son of Hugh and Christina Cox-Smith, after completing high school, he graduated from the Agricultural College in Winnipeg. He served as a Private in the 27th Battalion of Canadian Infantry, Wounded in battle on 4 May 1917, he was taken to the prisoner of war hospital at Cassel, Germany where he died on 19 June 1917.
James Crickmore Craig [Grace Methodist]	Farmer	1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps	Corporal	2 December 1890	Born at Boston, Massachusetts, he was killed on 10 August 1918. His next-of-kin lived at Portage la Prairie.
Herbert Allison Crust [Grace Methodist]	Student	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	21 April 1894	29 August 1918
Gordon Richardon Thomas Cumming	Carpenter	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	13 April 1917
Francis Cuthbert Malcolm Cummings	Farmer	46th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1876	3 January 1917
James Dallas A farmer born in 1895, he served as a Private in the 44th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 28 September 1918.
Elmer Cecil Dalzell [Grace Methodist]	Hardware Clerk	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	21 September 1893	9 April 1917
William Daum [Knox Presbyterian]	Hardware Clerk	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	9 July 1896	28 March 1917
John Henry Davey [St. George's Anglican, Westbourne] A clerk born on 12 June 1895, he served as a Private in the 29th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 26 June 1916.
Alfred Dent	Farm Labourer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1894	Born at Appleby, England, he died on 10 November 1917 and is commemorated on the Ypres Memorial.
Thomas Dickson	Farmer	18th Battery, 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery	Driver	1882	He was born at Belgard, Ireland but enlisted at Portage la Prairie. He died on 13 October 1915 and was buried in the Shorncliffe Military Cemetery.
Hugh James Doherty	Accountant	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1891	He enlisted at Winnipeg, the place of his birth. He died on 6 June 1916.
Thomas Birtwistle Douglas [Telephones]	Clerk	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	1890	Born at Bury near Manchester, he attended Manchester Grammar School and had a sister living in Rookwood Bury at the time of his enlistment. Prior to the war he served with in the Officer’s Training Corps and the 18th Manitoba Mounted Rifles He was working as a clerk in Portage la Prairie prior to joining the 6th Battalion Fort Garry Horse. He was among the soldiers of the first overseas contingent. His school published an obituary noting that he won his commission through “good service in the field of battle.” He was initially reported missing while serving as a machine gun officer in operations in the Vimy area and his date of death is recorded as 28 April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
James Robertson Duff [Grace Methodist]	Dentist	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	15 November 1879	He went overseas with the 79th Battalion in 1916. He served in the Ypres area, and then on the Somme as the battalion’s bombing officer. On the night of 7 October 1916, his battalion headquarters was moved to the West Miraumont Road north of Courcelette. A Canadian attack took place at 5:00 AM on 8 October. The enemy countered with an artillery barrage. He was assisting to remove wounded men from the HQ dugout when a shell struck the stairs killing him and several officers. He was buried near where he fell. Prior to the war he worked as a dentist and his first service in the military was as a recruiting officer at Portage la Prairie. He was a graduate of Arnprior High School and the University of Toronto. He was survived by his wife, Edna L. Haney, a native of Detroit, Michigan. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Charles Edgar Dykeman [Grace Methodist]	Accountant	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	21 March 1886	8 October 1916
Charles Samuel Dyer	Barber	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	1892	Born at Holly, Ontario, he enlisted at Winnipeg. He died on 7 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
H. C. “Jack” Favel	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	?	22 June 1917
William Henry Fidler	Farmer	52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1893	6 September 1918
Frederick George Fletcher	Miller	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1891	25 April 1915
Harry James Flett	Fisherman	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	2 September 1918
Adam Fotheringham	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1891	8 October 1916
Albert Fraser	Section Foreman	45th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1882	9 March 1916
Allan Francis [Knox Presbyterian]	Clerk	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	23 April 1893	23 April 1917
John Henry Froats [Grace Methodist]	Plumber	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	18 November 1897	21 August 1917
Arthur Taylor Fulford [Telephones]	Telephone Lineman	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 November 1891	3 May 1917
Samuel Edward Fulscher	Machinist & Steam Engineer	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1881	Born at St. Andrews, he died on 9 August 1918 and is buried in Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery.
Charles Franklin Galbraith [John Black Memorial, Law Society] Born at Portage la Prairie on 14 May 1893, he was a law student in Winnipeg when he enlisted in February 1916. His attestation papers give his address as the Merchant’s Bank. His parents resided at Burnside. He joined the Royal Flying Corps and later served in the Royal Air Force as a pilot in 5 Squadron where he was credited with downing the first enemy aircraft during the Battle of Amiens. 5 Squadron specialized in reconnaissance work flying two-seater RE-8 aircraft. This was very dangerous work, the pilot and observer having to fly at low altitudes in order to coordinate artillery fire. 5 Squadron worked closely with the Canadian Corps and when the battle of Canal du Nord was fought, Galbraith was above the action providing zone calls on enemy artillery with “good effect” (Canadian Airmen and the First World War). He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross in November 1918 for this work. The citation published in the London Gazette records “Throughout the recent operations this officer has carried out work of outstanding merit in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in obtaining information as to the position of our infantry and cavalry and those of the enemy. He has also taken photographs from very low altitudes, and which were urgently required.” Sadly, Galbraith would not live to personally receive the award. On the 15th of September he was severely wounded in a dog fight over Palluel. Despite his mortal injuries he was able to safely land the aircraft near the front lines. He died on 16 September 1918. His observer survived and he was later decorated for his attempts to save Galbraith’s life.
Victor Claude Garland	Operator	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1894	Born at Dorchester, England, he enlisted at Winnipeg. He died on 26 September 1916 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
John Scott Garrioch	Labourer	226th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1894	26 February 1916
John Gordon	Labourer	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	?	1882	Born at Baltaugh, Ireland, he enlisted at Portage la Prairie. He died on 8 August 1918 and was buried in the Demuin British Cemetery.
Lorne Talmage Graham A farmer born in 1899, he served as a Private in the 78th Battalion of Canadian Infantry. He died on 9 April 1917.
John Henry Graham [St. Marks]	Engineer	1st Field Company, Canadian Engineers	Private	12 May 1893	11 June 1925
Samuel Grant	Bridge Foreman	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1884	16 September 1916
Robert Stoddart Gregg [Blenheim]	Farmer	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	23 August 1896	15 September 1916
Arthur Stanley Gurnett	Printer	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1890	Born at Amcaster, Ontario, his date of death is recorded as 8 June 1916. He is commemorated at the Menin Gate, Ypres.
G. Halliday	?	?	?	?	?
James Frederick Harrison DCM	Farmer	2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	9 September 1892	6 November 1917
Clendon Charles Heath [Law Society]	Law Student	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	1 October 1892	15 September 1916
Thomas Stewart Huddlestone	Labourer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1892	Born at Portage la Prairie, he enlisted there. He died on 27 November 1916 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Edmund Huddlestone	Farmer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1896	9 April 1917
B. Hyder	?	?	?	?	?
William Jones	Bookkeeper	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	1882	15 September 1916
A. Jones	?	?	?	?	?
Thomas Kaines	Labourer	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1883	6 November 1917
James Kee	Farm Labourer	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	1893	Born at Portage la Prairie, his date of death is recorded as 15 September 1916. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Sidney Richard Kember MM [Westbourne]	Machinist	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	17 November 1892	Born at Turnbridge Kent, England, his family lived at Ste. Rose du Lac at the time of his enlistment. He died on 17 May 1918 and was buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery, Extension Two.
William Thomas Kember	Farmer	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1888	Born at London England, his family resided at Ste. Rose du Lac at the time of his enlistment. He died on 4 June 1918 and was buried at Bellacourt Military Cemetery.
Russell George Kemp	Farmer	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1884	Born at Kingston, Ontario, he was killed on 4 September 1917. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.
Ernest Henry King	Police Constable	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1886	Born at Ramsgate, England, he enlisted at Sewell. He died on 4 October 1916 and was buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery Le Havre.
Stanley King [Sidney]	Farmer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	13 May 1892	Born at Ipswich, Suffolk, England, he died on 9 April 1918 and is buried in the Ecoivres Military Cemetery.
J. Larkin	?	?	?	?	?
Herbert Isaac Larmer	Saddler	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1883	9 August 1916
Frederick Henry Leppard [Grace Methodist]	Cashier	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Corporal	18 October 1892	30 October 1918
Leslie Albert Link	Student	10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery	Driver	1898	8 August 1918
John Frank Little	Farmer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1893	16 November 1917
Thomas Sherman Logan [Grace Methodist]	Jeweller	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	9 November 1894	8 October 1916
Albert Charles Lye	Electrician	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1894	26 September 1916
Frank Linklater	Steam Fitter	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1881	24 April 1915
David Lyons	Farmer	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1891	8 August 1918
Robert Macdonald [Knox Presbyterian]	Clerk	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	24 April 1894	15 September 1916
Alexander Mackie [Knox Presbyterian]	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	5 March 1890	26 October 1917
Colin Archibald MacLennan	Farmer	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1887	29 August 1917
Alexander MacVicar	Locomotive Engineer	17th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry	Private	1880	1 July 1916
Henry Maden	Miller	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1879	8 October 1918
Claude Elliott Matthews [Grace Methodist]	Farmer	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	19 May 1894	6 November 1917
William Lee Mawhinney [Knox Presbyterian, Law Society, 108 Battalion]	Barrister	54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	15 June 1892	He was born at Portage la Prairie but his family eventually settled in British Columbia. He worked as a barrister and enlisted in Selkirk. He served as a Lieutenant in the 54th Kootenay British Columbia Regiment. The War Diary for this unit records an attack made on Vimy Ridge on 1 March 1917 in preparation for the well-known assault that took place about a month later. The object of this trench raid was to test the enemy fortifications and to capture prisoners for interrogation. The soldiers met fierce opposition in the form of machine gun and rifle fire. In an attack described as “disastrous,” the 54th was forced to retreat, not getting beyond the enemy’s wire. There were many casualties including 13 of the battalion’s 15 officers. Mawhinney died of wounds the following day, on 2 March 1917.
Albert Milton McCaig [Knox Presbyterian]	Clerk	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	28 March 1893	3 September 1917
Angus Norman McCuaig [Knox Presbyterian]	Railroad Brakeman	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	4 October 1893	8 October 1916
H. McDonald	?	?	?	?	?
William Harvey McDonald	Labourer	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	9 April 1917
Duncan Rory McGillivray	Plumber	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	Born at Kirk Hill, Ontario, he died on 13 June 1916 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
Henry Stewart McIntyre	Fireman	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1894	2 September 1918
George Douglas McKay [Knox Presbyterian]	Miller	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	23 January 1894	11 October 1916
S. McKenzie	?	?	?	?	?
John Alexander McLeod [St. Marks]	Rancher	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	1892	He lived at St. Mark’s but enlisted at Portage la Prairie. He died on 15 September 1916.
Alexander McNab [Knox Presbyterian, Sidney, Telephones]	Telephone Inspector	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	21 August 1891	24 May 1915
Frederick Conroy Mills	Miller	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Corporal	1892	15 August 1917
Arthur Mitchell [Oakville]	Machinist	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Corporal	1893	Born at Portage la Prairie, son of Thomas Arthur Mitchell and Ella Francombe, his father was living at Bagot when he enlisted. He died on 3 October 1919 and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery.
Norman Mitchell	Moving Picture Operator	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1891	9 June 1916
James Moffat	Farmer	14th (Reserve) Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1890	20 February 1917
James Mudge	Carpenter	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Sergeant	1877	29 September 1918
Edgerton Dolmage Neelands [Grace Methodist]	Driver Motor	Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery, Canadian Machine Gun Corps	Private	3 November 1882	He was the son of Catherine Matilda Neelands of 142 Tupper Street in Portage la Prairie. The family farm was 7½ miles north-east of Portage, his father coming west in 1878. His wife resided in Victoria, British Columbia. The Tread of the Pioneers records that he contracted nephritis in the trenches. He died at age 35 on 23 September 1918. (The Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery was initially paid for and equipped by “Klondike Joe” Boyle, a wealthy Yukon mining magnate. The cap badge given to each soldier featured a gold pan and an actual gold nugget.)
John Nicholson [Brandon Armoury, Knox Presbyterian]	Farm Hand	18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	20 October 1897	23 May 1917
Ira Stanley Nixon [Grace Methodist, Melita]	Tinsmith	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	25 September 1893	4 August 1917
Frank Stanley Oliver MM [Knox Presbyterian]	Clerk	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	24 July 1889	3 April 1919
Herbert Dunton Paisley	Farmer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	1891	23 May 1919
Bruce Hutton Parkinson	Bank Clerk	3rd Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery	Gunner	1895	Born at Thorburg, Ontario, he died on 13 August 1917 and is buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery.
David Peden	Trackman	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1887	Born at Ayrshire, Scotland, he enlisted under the alias of David Murray, and was killed on 10 November 1917. His parents lived at 10 - 10th Street, Portage la Prairie.
James Peden [Knox Presbyterian]	Labourer	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1 April 1896	15 September 1916
Harold Pierson	?	18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	?	28 June 1918
Thomas Powlesland	Farm Labourer	45th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1886	3 May 1916
Frederick Harold Perry	Clerk	2nd Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps	Private	1897	Born at Bristol, England, he died on 26 September 1916 and is buried in the Courcelette British Cemetery.
Aylwin Murray Pratt [Law Society]	Student at Law	186th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery	2nd Lieutenant	7 September 1892	21 August 1917
Ernest Prout [Grace Methodist]	Tinsmith	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	27 September 1891	Born at Portage la Prairie, he died on 26 November 1917 and is buried in the Bristol Cemetery.
Norman Porteous	Farmer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	Born at Poplar Point, he died on 29 September 1918 and is buried in the Hayne Court British Cemetery.
James Allan Reid MM [Post Office]	Postal Clerk	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	1890	Born at High Bluff, he died on 26 September 1916 and is commemorated by the Vimy Memorial.
Frank Reece MM	Farmer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	1890	Born at Portage la Prairie, his parents lived on Charlton Avenue. He died on 9 August 1918 and is commemorated by Le Quesnel Memorial.
Henry Alexander Robertson [Next of Kin, Vimy Ridge]	Broker	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	1888	Born at Portage la Prairie, he joined the 28th Battalion, transferring to the PPCLI in 1915. He was promoted to Lieutenant and was serving with the 44th Battalion (Manitoba Regiment) at the time of his death on 11 May 1917. The War Diary records that the 44th was attacked with flame throwers at 3 AM in the morning, forcing the Canadians to retreat from their positions. However, “after ammunition was replenished Major Belcher led an attack in daylight, without artillery protection...”. The 44th regained their trenches but Belcher, Lieutenants Oliver and Robertson, as well as 14 other ranks were killed. The 44th was known throughout the Corps as the “hard luck” battalion owing to the severe casualty rates the unit suffered. Robertson has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Stanton Iris Robinson [Grace Methodist]	Farmer	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	30 August 1896	Died on 24 July 1916
George Franklin Rose	Groomer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1897	Born at Portage la Prairie, he died on 29 September 1918 and was buried in the Haynecourt British Cemetery.
Maxime Joseph Albert St. Godard [St. Mark's Anglican, 108 Battalion]	Fisherman	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	9 March 1889	Born at Lethbridge, Alberta, he died on 26 October 1918 and was buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery.
John Henry Sanders	Accountant	59th Squadron, Royal Air Force	2nd Lieutenant	1892	Born at Nottingham, England, he served as an observer in an army cooperation squadron flying RE8 aircraft. He died on 27 October 1917 from wounds received in action. He is also commemorated on the Dakeyne Street Boys Club War Memorial at Nottingham, England.
Charles Samuel Saunders	Farmer	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1893	Born at Devonshire, England, he died on 10 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
F. Saunders	?	?	?	?	?
Alfred Saxton	Farm Hand	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1893	Born at Abby Wood, London, England, he died on 28 June 1917 and is buried in the Berlin Communal Cemetery Extension.
Charles Jackson Sharp	Teamster	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	14 March 1890	26 September 1916
Gordon Sherritt	Farmer	46th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	He died on 22 July 1918 and was buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery.
T. Signet	?	?	?	?	?
Albert Simons [Oakville]	Farmer	107th Battalion, Canadian Pioneers	Pioneer	1898	29 March 1917
Thomas Alfred Singer	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1887	Born at Somerset, England, he died on 30 August 1917 and was buried in the Aix-Neulette Communal Cemetery Extension.
Colin Smith [St. Eustache, Wesley College]	Cleric	203rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	29 February 1880	Born at Poplar Point, he was a Minister at Wesley College when he enlisted in 1916. The February 1918 issue of Vox Wesleyana records he was twice wounded before he was killed. He is said to have been a “strong evangelical preacher” with an unselfish character and “deep religious convictions.” He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Douglas Smith [Agricultural College, Knox Presbyterian]	Student	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	22 October 1897	Born at Leeds, England on 22 October 1897, he moved to Portage la Prairie with his family where his father worked as a Presbyterian Minister. He was a student at the Manitoba Agricultural College and a member of University of Manitoba COTC prior to enlisting with the 196th Battalion at St. Vital in 1916. With his red hair and outgoing personality he was described as a “merry student” and “popular officer” both “fearless” and “brimming with patriotism” (Managra, November 1919). He arrived in France in the summer of 1917 where he served with the 43rd Cameron Highlanders. Losses during the battles of “Last Hundred Days” of the Canadian Corps were the worst of the war. He was killed on 28 August 1918 when the 43rd led an assault against German positions. An eyewitness reported “heaps of dead huns” and a “bunch of gas.” He was buried in the Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery and commemorated on the Manitoba Agricultural College Roll of Honour.
George Smith	Labourer	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	1883	30 September 1916
Herbert John Smith	Clerk	52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	?	16 September 1916
Roy Smith [St. Marks]	Farmer	107th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	27 January 1895	The son of H. G. and Ellen Smith of St. Marks, he died on 3 May 1919 at the age of 24.
B. Stevens	?	?	?	?	?
John Guy Stewart	Steam Engineer	Canadian Infantry	Private	1888	9 October 1918
Walter G. Taylor	Labourer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	6 July 1915
Russel Earl Thom	Farm Hand	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1893	27 September 1916
Norman James Thomas MM [Grace Methodist, Wesley College]	Student	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	9 March 1894	Born at Portage la Prairie, he died on 6 November 1917.
James Harrison Thompson [Amaranth, Grace Methodist]	Farmer	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	26 February 1884	31 October 1917
W. Thompson	?	?	?	?	?
Harold Tomalin	Locomotive Engineer	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1896	2 September 1918
Frederick Leslie Trewella	Miller	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1888	25 April 1915
Lloyd Irvin True	Office Clerk	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	?	15 September 1916
Archibald James Viznaugh	Labourer	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1893	15 September 1916
William Viznaugh	Labourer	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	1896	15 September 1916
Emerson Wales	Tinsmith	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	1896	Born at Minneapolis, Minnesota, he died on 15 September 1916 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. His next-of-kin lived at Portage la Prairie.
John Edwin Watters	Labourer	31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1897	Born at Portage la Prairie, he died on 6 June 1916 and is commemorated on the Ypres Memorial.
Charles Weir	Farmer	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1882	Born in Scotland, he died on 1 July 1916 and was buried in the Larchwood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery.
Clayton George Whitman [Trinity Baptist]	Machinist Apprentice	52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1897	Born at Portage la Prairie, he died on 24 August 1917 and was buried in the Aix Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension.
Albert Edwin Wild [St. George's Anglican, Westbourne]	Labourer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	18 November 1892	Born at Westbourne, he died on 10 August 1918 and was buried in the Fouquescourt British Cemetery.
Alman Clare Williams [Law Society]	Barrister	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Major	4 November 1876	He worked at the Portage la Prairie law firm of Macpherson, Williams, and Ormond. In 1906, he bought a McLaughlin-Buick, becoming one of the community’s first automobiles owners. Prior to the war, he commanded the A Squadron of the 18th Mounted Rifles. He went overseas with the 32nd Battalion where he served as a musketry instructor prior to service at the front. He was killed on 26 September 1916 and was buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery, and is commemorated on the Bowmanville (Ontario) war memorial.
Walter Barron Wilton [Crystal City, Morden, Next of Kin, Pharmacy]	Commission Merchant	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	26 March 1877	Born at High Bluff, he was a druggist when he lived at Morden and later worked in the produce business. At the time of his enlistment at Winnipeg on 3 September 1915, he was married to Clara Wilton and they had a young son named Harry. He was discharged in January 1916 to attend school. He completed his Officers’ Declaration paper in May 1916 and went overseas in September 1916. While in France, he had many close calls including having been “buried alive twice through shell fire and having been badly gassed.” Two of his brothers also served overseas. He was killed in action on 21 August 1917 and was buried at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Alfred Wortley	Farmer	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	30 June 1882	23 May 1915
Alex Ross Wright	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1898	Born at Thornbury, England, he was killed on 28 June 1917 and was buried in La Chaudiere Military Cemetery. His next-of-kin lived at Bagot, Manitoba.
Arthur James Young	Livery Man	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1895	8 September 1918

Second World War

Name	Service	Rank	Birth Date	Notes
Frederick James Abel	Winnipeg Grenadiers	Sergeant	?	Killed on 28 November 1942 during the defence of Hong Kong, he was buried in Sai-Wan War Cemetery
Harold Albert Ackerman	Winnipeg Rifles	Rifleman	1925	Born at Portage la Prairie on 17 May 1925, son of Harold and Violet Edith Ackerman, he died on 11 April 1945 and was buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands.
George Perry Armstrong	142 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	c1923	The son of Dr. George Armstrong of Portage la Prairie, his HE 99 aircraft went missing on a road to Turin, Italy on 25 November 1943. All crew members were killed. He is buried in the Florence War Cemetery at Florence, Italy. Maxie Mair, also of Portage la Prairie, was a member of the crew.
John William “Jack” Astbury	405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Lieutenant	c1923	Son of Portage la Prairie alderman Charles B. Astbury and Catherine Astbury, prior to his enlistment, he worked in the Link Manufacturing plant with his father. He trained at Paulson, Virden, and No. 7 AOS at Portage la Prairie. He served as a bomb aimer with the Pathfinders. According to the Portage Daily Graphic, “Astbury’s friends had the pleasure of hearing him broadcast directly from a plane during an operational flight over enemy territory.” It was also reported that in addition to his radio appearance he was in a movie reel entitled Target Over Berlin. He was killed on his 17th operational flight, on a night operation against Brunswick, Germany on 14 January 1944. Lancaster aircraft JA974 took a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire and blew up. He is buried in the Hanover War Cemetery at Hanover, Germany.
Arthur Esmond Barrett	Regina Rifle Regiment	Rifleman	c1923	After graduating from Portage Collegiate, he worked with his father in the shoe repair business. The D-Day invasion of Europe took place on 6 June 1944. In the following days, Canadians saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Barrett was part of the defense force which held off 22 Panther tanks, to their front and rear, until relieved. The Rifles held their ground, even after their headquarters had been overrun. The Canadians knocked out six of the German tanks but Barrett was killed. He was buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Harold Mark Batters	401 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	c1918	Son of Harold and Rowena Batters of Portage la Prairie, he was flying a Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB on 4 December 1942 when he was shot down over the English Channel. He was buried in the Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery at Pas de Calais, France.
Lawrence John Benville	408 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1924	Son of John and Violet Benville, he joined the Air Force in 1943, after serving as a parachute packer at No. 7 AOS Portage la Prairie. He graduated with a commission from the No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mount Pleasant and was posted overseas in April 1944. His wife and daughter were living in Portage la Prairie at the time of his death on 5 January 1945.
William Boak	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1919	Son of Mike and Mary Boak of Portage la Prairie, he died in an accident on 20 July 1942 and was buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England.
Alvin John Braden	18th Armoured Car Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps	Sergeant	c1918	Born and raised in Portage la Prairie, he received his education in North Ward School, Victoria School, and Portage Collegiate. He enlisted with the Winnipeg Light Infantry in the fall of 1941 and served at the 100th Basic Training Centre. He died from a skull fracture on 19 May 1944. He was survived by his wife and son, two sisters, and six brothers.
Irvine Clifford Bradley	464 Squadron, Royal Air Force	Pilot Officer	c1923	Son of William and Margaret Bradley of Portage la Prairie, he worked at the Crescent Creamery before going overseas in 1943. He was killed on 1 January 1945 while piloting Mosquito aircraft NT431. He was buried at Heverlee War Cemetery at Leuven Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium.
Norman Conway Brown	Royal Canadian Air Force	Sergeant	c1923	Son of William Henry and Thelma Brown, he died on 26 August 1943 and was buried in the Calais Canadian Cemetery at Pas de Calais, France.
Michael Bulachowski	Royal Canadian Corps of Signals	Signalman	c1913	Son of Joseph and Ann Bulachowski, he died on 12 August 1944 and was buried in the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Lloyd Graydon Burton	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry	Captain	1920	Born at Portage la Prairie, son of Francis and Eugenie Burton, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts and St. Mary’s Anglican Church. After graduating from Portage Collegiate, he attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario. While overseas, in November 1941, he married Avril Marie Black of London, England. He served in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. He was killed at the Battle of Coriano Ridge in Italy on 17 September 1944, where Canadians engaged in some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Over 600 Canadians were killed there. Burton was buried at the Coriano Ridge Cemetery.
Andrew Fraser Bushell	Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Lieutenant	c1924	Son of Harold and Annie Bushell of Portage la Prairie, as a child he was active in the Boy Scouts and St. Mary’s Anglican Church. A top student at Portage Collegiate, he was studying medicine at the Manitoba Medical College when he enlisted, in 1942. He joined the British Imperial Army under a special program where Canadian officers were attached to British units owing to shortages of British-born officers. According to one newspaper account, Bushell was the youngest Lieutenant in the British Army. He sailed for Europe aboard the Cavina, a former banana boat. A veteran recalled the trip: “a wonderful group of Canadian Red Cross girls heading for overseas service … good meals and liquor at tax-free prices … some mighty fine young men like Len Bushell.” In August 1944, he was ordered to hold the bridgehead on the River Orne in Normandy, France. Their position was assaulted brutally by elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division and the 25th and 26th Panzer Grenadiers. A fellow Norfolk officer, Captain David Jamieson, was awarded the Commonwealth’s highest military award, the Victoria Cross, for the heroic defense. The citation for the VC recounted the battle: “36 hours of bitter and close fighting … when the position appeared hopeless.” Bushell was killed, on 8 August 1944, by the blast of an 88 mm tank shell fired as he was leaving his dugout. He was buried in Bayeux War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Clifford Allan Calder	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1920	Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Calder of Portage la Prairie, he enlisted in July 1941 and went overseas in July 1942. He was killed in action in Italy on 9 October 1943 and was buried in the Bari War Cemetery in Italy.
Morris Joseph Wilbert Choquette [Oakville]	Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Rifleman	4 August 1919	Died 8 June 1944
Robert John Levi “Bobby” Cole	Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	c1922	Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Cole of Portage la Prairie, he was an outstanding Portage Collegiate athlete. He married local girl Kathleen Dymond in January 1942, shortly after receiving his pilot’s wings at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was piloting a Wellington bomber when it stalled and crashed at Ludborough, Lincolnshire, England on 16 October 1942. He was returning from operations when the accident happened. He was buried at Grimsby Military Cemetery in England.
Stanley Hugh Collett	Royal Canadian Artillery	Gunner	c1907	Son of Ada Collette of Portage la Prairie, he died on 23 October 1940 and was buried in the Hillside Cemetery Portage la Prairie
Robert Norman Currie	Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg	Corporal	c1924	Son of Archibald H. and Gertrude M. Currie of Portage la Prairie, he enlisted in 1940 and took part in the Dieppe raid. He died on 28 April 1945 and was buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands. He was survived by his parents, four brothers, and five sisters.
Roland Edison Dann	407 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Pilot Officer	c1917	He was born in Saskatoon but moved to Portage la Prairie where he graduated from Portage Collegiate Institute. He founded the Portage la Prairie Model Plane Club that received many trophies in provincial competition. He was employed by Lyons Garage as a bookkeeper and was an active member of study, public speaking, and young men organizations in the city. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1940 and took special courses in reconnaissance patrol work. He was the acting adjutant of his squadron at the time of his death, on 22 January 1942. His parents and a brother and sister survived him.
James Calvin Dawes	HMCS Valleyfield, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve	Able Seaman	c1922	Son of William and Laura Dawes of Portage la Prairie, he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway before enlisting in the Navy. He served aboard the frigate Valleyfield under Lt. Cdr. D. T. English. On Sunday, 7 May 1944, the Valleyfield was part of escort group C-1, 50 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland, that was protecting shipping convoys to Europe. Near midnight, the convoy crossed straight into the path of Germany submarine U-548, commanded by Kapitanleutenant Eberhard Zimmerman. At 1,500 meters, Zimmerman fired a torpedo at Valleyfield’s bow. The sound was detected on Valleyfield but too late to maneuver out of the way. The torpedo tore through the boiler room. A survivor recounted the direct hit: “a terrific explosion … twisted metal flying skywards … escaping steam … crashing superstructure.” The ship broke in two and the forward section sank in less than two minutes. Of 163 sailors, only 38 survived. Dawes has no known grave and is commemorated by the Halifax Memorial at Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was killed on 7 May 1944.
Orval Clarence Dunn	Royal Canadian Air Force	Sergeant	c1915	Son of George H. Dunn and Arabella V. Dunn of Portage la Prairie, on 22 March 1943 he was killed on board Tiger Moth R5203 at 2 Elementary Flying Training School when the aircraft dived into the ground at RAF Moreton-in-Marsh. He was buried in the Moreton-in-Marsh New Cemetery at Gloucestershire, England.
Nicholas Frederick Durban	75 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Pilot Officer	?	He was educated in Portage la Prairie public schools and the Collegiate. He later took special course work in refrigerator work in Chicago. He had a brother in the RCAF and a sister who worked as a nurse. His parents lived on 525 Sixth Street. He went overseas in September 1940. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial at Surrey, England.
John Frederick Edwards	9 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	?	Son of Fred and Margaret Edwards of Portage la Prairie, as a child he was active in the St. Mary’s Anglican Church. After enlisting, he studied gunnery at Paulson. He was reported missing in January 1943, his family receiving word that he was presumed dead in September.
Edward William Edwards	Royal Canadian Artillery	Gunner	21 January 1911	He died on 22 July 1941.
Ross Pringle Fahrni [Gladstone, Law Society]	172 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Observer	c1921	Son of Stanley Harrison Fahrni and Edith Josephine Fahrni of Portage la Prairie, he was an observer in HX482, a Wellington VIII (Leigh Light) bomber, when he was killed on 19 August 1942. The aircraft was piloted by Gordon Jamieson and was flying an air test with eight people on board, including an American air force officer and a ground crew member. It was a non-combat mission. While flying over Swansea Bay in broad daylight and good visibility, the aircraft was attacked by anti-aircraft gunners on the American ship USS Gulf of Mexico. The Wellington crashed in the bay. There were no survivors. He was buried in the Killay Churchyard, Glamorganshire, England.
Garner Fidler	Royal Winnipeg Rifles	Rifleman	?	He died on 6 June 1944 and was buried in the Beny-Sur-Mer Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Peter Goodz	4 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery	Gunner	?	Son of Mrs. A. Goodz of Portage la Prairie, he died on 16 February 1945 and was buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands.
Milford Frank Hinds	1 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery	Gunner	c1919	Son of Frank and Ada Pearl Hinds of Portage la Prairie, he enlisted in December 1939 and was with the first group of Canadian soldiers to reach England following the outbreak of war. He died in England from injuries received in a fall from a vehicle on active service, on 30 June 1942. He was buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery at Surrey, England.
William Holenchuk	426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Pilot Officer	c1919	Son of George and Sophie Holenchuk of Sudbury, Ontario, he died on 9 June 1944 and was buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery in Yorkshire, England.
Joseph Alfred Hogue	Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1924	Son of Joseph E. Hogue and Julie Hogue of Winnipeg, he died on 12 May 1944 and was buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery at Surrey, England.
Philip Consterdine Jones	37 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1916	Son of Reverend Joseph Jones of Portage la Prairie, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BSc in 1940 to immediately enlist in the RCAF. He received his commission and proceeded overseas in February 1941. He took part in numerous raids over Germany and France before being posted to the Middle East. He died on 24 June 1942 and was buried in the Benghazi War Cemetery.
Michael “Mike” Kasijan	Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	1917	Born on 5 October 1917, he was killed in the defence of Hong Kong on 22 December 1941. He was buried in the Sai Wan Cemetery.
Wesley Newman Kilfoyle	Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	?	A prisoner-of-war, a stomach wound prevented him from joining a forced march so he was murdered by enemy soldiers on 19 December 1941. He is commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial at Victoria, Hong Kong.
Albert James Klyne	Royal Winnipeg Rifles	Rifleman	c1922	Son of Edward and Lena Klyne of Portage la Prairie, he died on 27 August 1944 and was buried in Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Andrew Alexander Lang	405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Pilot Officer	c1913	Son of William and Grace McMaster Lang of Portage la Prairie, he was a crew member in a Halifax W7802 attacking Flensburg, Germany on the night of the first and second of October 1942. The aircraft crashed at Bohlberg, one of three aircraft lost on the mission. There is a photograph of Lang’s crew at the Imperial War Museum, taken shortly before the crew was killed.
Roy Jacques Aleander Larence [Allandale]	17 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery	Lance Bombardier	10 September 1916	Born at St. Boniface on 10 September 1916, son of Joseph and Cléophée Larence, he enlisted at Portage la Prairie in March 1941. Going overseas to England in November 1941, he was in Italy at the time of his death on 27 January 1944. He was buried in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery in Italy.
Albert Paul Lee	Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), Royal Candian Artillery Corps	Trooper	c1914	Son of James Lee and Kathleen Lee of Portage la Prairie, he died on 24 May 1944 and was buried in the Cassino War Cemetery in Italy.
James Kitchener Magill	Royal Winnipeg Rifles	Rifleman	c1914	Son of James and Nancy Alice Magill of Memphis, Tennessee, he died on 10 April 1945 and was buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands.
John Goodwin Maguire	432 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Lieutenant	c1921	He was President of the Literary Society at Portage Collegiate. While serving as a navigator on Halifax aircraft RG451, returning from a raid over Worms, Germany, he was shot down and killed on 21 February 1945. He was buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Charles Maxwell “Maxie” Mair	142 Squadron, Royal Air Force	Pilot Officer	1920	An outstanding member of the Portage Terriers hockey team and a prominent member of the St. Mary’s Young People’s Organization, he worked at the Portage la Prairie branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia prior to enlistment. He received a navigator’s brevet in November 1942 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in July 1942. Posted to North Africa, he had just celebrated his 23rd birthday when he was killed in action on 25 November 1943.
Michael John Makichuk Born in the RM of Mossey River on 24 September 1920, son of Saffron Sam Makichuk (1888-1957) and Effie Miskae (1900-1940) of Portage la Prairie, he served as a Corporal in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He died on 6 June 1944 and was buried in the Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Bert Angus Marks	Lake Superior Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1923	Son of William James Marks and Elizabeth Marks of Portage la Prairie, he died on 25 April 1945 and was buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands.
Arnold Grant Maxwell	Royal Canadian Air Force	Sergeant Pilot	c1913	Son of T. Edward and Mary Maxwell of Portage la Prairie, he earned his pilot’s wings at Calgary, in 1941. While serving with the #16 Operational Training Unit, he was aboard Hampden aircraft AD826 when it crashed and burned at Bourne End Farm, Wooton, England on 6 May 1942. There were no survivors. He was buried at Kempston Cemetery, Bedfordshire, England.
Mervin Stewart McCorrister	Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	?	He died on 19 December 1941 and was buried in the Sai Wan Memorial Cemetery at Victoria, Hong Kong.
Donald Gordon McKay	405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1923	Son of James and Florence McKay of Portage la Prairie, and brother of Murray Roy McKay, he trained as a bomb aimer and served as a Pathfinder. During a night attack on Zeittz, Germany, the Lancaster aircraft PB402 that he was aboard was shot down on 16 January 1945 with the loss of the entire crew. He was buried at the War Cemetery at Durnbach, Germany.
Douglas George McKay	Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	1920	He enlisted in September 1941 and took his training at Brandon, Macdonald, Saskatoon, and graduated from Dafoe. He went overseas in November 1942 and served with 408 Squadron. The Commandant of McKay’s station wrote to Mr. and Mrs. R. G. McKay to give details of their son’s loss. His aircraft was sent to carry out operations over Aachen, Germany and failed to return. He stated that Douglas had over 15 operational trips and 97 hours operating over enemy territory at the time of his death, on 14 July 1943, and was “fast becoming an ace Air Gunner.” McKay Creek northeast of Lake Winnipeg, in northern Manitoba, is named for him.
Eugene Joseph “Joe” McKay	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry	Lance Corporal	14 October 1920	Born at Portage la Prairie, son of Fred and Edwidge McKay, prior to the war he had served at Portage Collegiate in the Manitoba Mounted Rifles. He enlisted in February 1940 and went overseas in June of that year. A classmate recalled meeting him at Glasgow, Scotland: “I parked my trunk and sat with Joe, happily swapping news until my train time approached. It was the last time I ever saw him. Eight months later, with the Pats in Sicily, he lay on the ground outside Leonforte, badly wounded. Jim McKie lit a cigarette, placed it between Joe’s lips, and tried to make comfortable, propping a haversack under his neck; but in a few minutes Joe McKay was gone.” Dead on 22 July 1943, he was buried at Agira Canadian War Cemetery in Sicily. His decorations included the Italy Star, Canadian Voluntary Service Medal & Clasp, Defense of Britain Medal, and War Medal.
Murray Roy McKay	Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1925	Son of James and Florence McKay of Portage la Prairie, and brother of Donald Gordon McKay, his Lancaster PB374 failed to return from a night mission over Germany on 9 April 1945. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial in England.
Lorne Kenneth McKenzie	Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), Royal Canadian Armoured Corps	Trooper	1920	Son of Hugh and Florence McKenzie of St. James, he enlisted in March 1941 and trained at Listowel and Camp Borden before proceeding overseas in November. After training in Africa in 1943, he was part of the assault on the Hitler Line in Italy. He died on 30 May 1944 and was buried in the Cassino War Cemetery in Italy. McKenzie Hill in the Lynn Lake area is named in his honour.
Orville Watson McKillop	Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Lieutenant	c1909	Son of Dougald and Jessie McKillop of Portage la Prairie, he died of wounds received during the defence of Hong Kong on 4 January 1942 and was buried in the Sai Wan War Cemetery at Victoria, Hong Kong.
John Bell McLaren	South Saskatchewan Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1913	Son of Donald Hugh and Barbara Anderson McLaren of Portage la Prairie, he died on 16 September 1944 and was buried in the Calais Canadian War Cemetery at Pas de Calais, France.
Hugh Paterson McTaggart	Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Corporal	c1914	Son of William and Elizabeth McTaggart of Rathwell, he died as a Prisoner of War on 5 December 1943 and was buried in the Yokohama War Cemetery in Japan.
James Smart Milne	2 Field Security Section, Canadian Intelligence Corps	Warrant Officer Class II	?	He died on 19 August 1942 and was buried in the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery (Hautot-Sur-Mer) at Seine-Maritime, France.
William James Munro	HMCS Clayoquot, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve	Sub-Lieutenant	c1923	Son of Ruby M. Munro of Huntingdon, Quebec, he died on 24 December 1944 and is commemorated at the Halifax Memorial in Nova Scotia.
Leo James Murray	5 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1920	Son of Edward S. Murray and Caroline Murray, he was killed on 20 May 1944 while serving in Newfoundland on active service.
John Edwin Mutcheson	HMCS Guysborough, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve	Ordinary Seaman	c1926	Son of Margaret Mutcheson of Portage la Prairie, he was well-known in hockey circles. He trained at HMCS Chippewa at Winnipeg before serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. The Guysborough was a minesweeper, one of 16 used to clear the way to the D-Day beaches. Guysborough had just returned from a refit in Canada when she was torpedoed by Germany submarine U-868 in the English Channel. The crew abandoned ship to spend the night on Carley floats. All hands died of exposure, on 18 March 1945. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Halifax Memorial at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Budvar P. “Bud” Olafson	Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1918	After graduating from Portage Collegiate, he opened “Bud’s Barbership.” He enlisted at the outbreak of the war, serving in the West Indies before being posted to Hong Kong. In December 1941, Japan attacked Hong King. Those Canadians who survived were treated horribly through starvation, forced labour, and torture. He was reported killed in a typhoon in Japan, on 1 January 1944. He was buried at the Yokohama War Cemetery.
Leonard Thomas Olmstead	434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	c1918	Son of Albert Wesley Olmstead and Mary Jane Olmstead of Portage la Prairie, he joined the Air Force in 1941 and went overseas in late 1942. He died on 7 September 1943 and was buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery in Germany.
William George Preston	45 Delivery Group, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1922	Son of William and Annie Preston of Fort William, Ontario, he was killed on 17 October 1944 when the Liberator aircraft in which he was flying crashed en route from England to Casablanca. The crew ditched and an air-sea rescue was launched. Preston died when the aircraft sank. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ottawa War Memorial at Ottawa, Ontario.
Robert H. Preston	17 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery	Lance Bombardier	?	He died on 17 April 1943 and was buried in the Upper Hopton (St. John) Churchyard, Yorkshire, England.
John Prosnyck	428 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	?	Killed on 5 May 1943 during a mission to bomb Dortmund, his Wellington bomber HE864 (NA-D) crashed at Ittersum. He was buried in the Zwolle (De Kranenburg) General Cemetery in The Netherlands. His widow lived at 537 First Street in Portage la Prairie.
Hyman Rabkin	415 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flying Officer	c1921	He was born and educated in Portage la Prairie, later attending the University of Manitoba. He served with 415 Squadron and was killed with his crew during a raid over Duseldorf on 2 November 1944. He was buried in Rheinburg Cemetery in Germany.
William “Bill” Ritchie	Regina Rifle Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Corporal	?	Son of Thomas Ritchie of Portage la Prairie, he attended North Ward School and Portage Collegiate. He went overseas in 1941, spending some time in Italy. He was killed in action, on 9 June 1944, in the operations immediately following D-Day. He was buried at Beny-Sur-Mer at Calvados, France.
James Arnold Robinson	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Corporal	?	He died on active service on 15 December 1941 and was buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery in England.
John Cameron Samuel Robinson	19 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery	Gunner	?	He received his education at local schools. He enlisted in 1941. Killed in action in France on 22 July 1944, he was survived by four sisters.
James Rutledge	Royal Winnipeg Rifles	Rifleman	c1921	Son of Percy and Mary Rutledge of Delta Station, he died on 13 July 1944 and was buried in the Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Joseph Schofield	Essex Scottish Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1921	Born at Westbourne, son of Herbert and Harriet Schofield, he moved to Portage la Prairie at a young age, receiving his education at local schools. He enlisted in Vancouver in 1941, serving with the Rocky Mountain Rangers before being sent overseas. His parents resided at 535 9th Street NW. He was killed in action in France on 13 August 1944 and was buried in the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France.
Hugh Robert Simmons	Royal Canadian Air Force	Sergeant Pilot	1915	Born at High Bluff in 1915, son of James A. and Lydia Simmons of Portage la Prairie, he was a member of the Portage Baptist Church, the Young People’s Society, and the Boy Scouts. Before enlisting, he worked for the Bridge and Building Section of the Canadian National Railway. He graduated as a pilot in December 1942 and was serving in England when he was killed. His funeral took place on what would have been his 28th birthday. He was buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery.
Ernest Victor Smallpiece	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1921	Son of Arthur and Ellen Smallpiece of Winnipeg, he died on 23 May 1944 and was buried in the Cassino War Cemetery in Italy.
David Jacob Shtitz	419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Flight Sergeant	?	He died on 30 May 1943 and was buried in the Charleroi Communal Cemetery in Belgium.
Glen Alford Stewart	Royal Winnipeg Rifles	Lieutenant	c1914	Son of John James Harris Stewart and Elizabeth Stewart, he was awarded the Governor’s General medal in grade 11 at Portage Collegiate. In 1938, he finished his training as a pharmacist and was working at Hill’s Drug Store at the time of his enlistment. On 4 July 1944, he was killed in the battle for the airfield at Carpiquet and is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer at Calvados, France. In 1995, Stewart Peninsula on Limestone Point Lake in northern Manitoba was named in his honour.
William Melville Walker	Royal Canadian Engineers	Lance Corporal	c1911	Son of Robert and Jennie E. Walker of Winnipeg, he died on 28 September 1943 and was buried in the military section of Brookside Cemetery.
William John Watters	104 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Warrant Officer Class II	c1918	Son of Thomas Gordon and Elizabeth Watters of London, Ontario, he died on 16 April 1943 and was buried in the Enfidaville War Cemetery in Tunisia.
Ernest Maurice Witt	405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force	Pilot Officer	?	A graduate of Portage Collegiate and an employee of the Portage Mutual Company, prior to the war he relocated to the west coast for university studies. At the outbreak of war he was teaching school at Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island. He joined the Air Force in 1941 and went overseas in June 1942. He died on 14 July 1943 and was buried in the Jonkerbos War Cemetery in The Netherlands.

Korean War

Name	Service	Rank	Birth Date	Death Date
Kenneth C. Crompton	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	c1927	3 May 1953
Henry Joseph Lavallee	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	1932	5 February 1952
Tony Siha	Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps	Private	1921	20 March 1951

Sources:

“Memorial at Portage,” Manitoba Free Press, 9 October 1919, page 9.

For the names of First World War casualities from Manitoba who do not appear on any physical monument in the province, see the Manitoba Historical Society War Memorial. If you know of a name that is omitted from this list, please contact the MHS War Memorial Researcher Darryl Toews (darryl@mhs.mb.ca).

Soldiers of the First World War - Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Veterans Affairs Canada.

Financial support for research reported on this page was provided by the Manitoba Heritage Grants Program (2015-2016).

We thank Barbara Morrison, George Penner, Jim Bain, and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by James Kostuchuk, Gordon Goldsborough and Darryl Toews.

Page revised: 8 June 2023

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