Georges LeClaire (Leclerc) was born June 7, 1886, into Mary Cecilia Ferris and Frank Benjamin Leclerc’s growing Métis family. Born only five years after the railroad's arrival, Georges LeClaire's childhood unfolded during a time of rapid growth and rising tourism in Mattawa.  In 1908, Georges married Mary Vanasse, and three years later, their only child, Margaret Ida, was born. Georges was working as a guide in Mattawa when he voluntarily enlisted for service overseas during

Wilfred Vasseur was born July 12, 1893, to Charles Vasseur and Mary Jane Jeffrey in Penetanguishene. The Vasseurs were one of the Georgian Bay Métis Community's founding families who had received a land grant “across the bay” from the British naval base in Penetanguishene harbour after relocating from Drummond Island following the War of 1812. Wilfred's service during the First World War began on May 9, 1918, when he was conscripted during the conflict's final months. Unlike

Charles Henry Vasseur, born September 6, 1889, and Albert Paul Vasseur, born February 27, 1896, were two Métis brothers from Penetanguishene and descendants of one of the Georgian Bay Métis Community's founding Métis families. Their grandfather, Charles Vasseur, had received a land grant “across the bay” from the British naval establishment in Penetanguishene harbour after relocating from Drummond Island following the War of 1812.   On February 10, 1916, Charles and Albert ma

Malcolm (Mac) Bussineau was born on August 9, 1894, in Dunns Valley near Sault Ste. Marie, into Joseph Bussineau and Annie McKensie’s growing Métis family. Malcolm was the third brother in his immediate family to serve in the First World War. Unlike his brothers, John Joseph and George Mark, however, Malcolm did not initially volunteer to serve; instead, he made the difficult decision to remain at home to tend to the farm and support his family while his brothers were fightin

George Mark Bussineau was born on August 16, 1896, in Ophir, near Sault Ste. Marie, to Joseph Bussineau and Annie McKensie. Like many Métis families throughout the Homeland, several members of the Bussineau family took up the call to service during the First World War.  Nineteen-year-old George Mark voluntarily enlisted to serve in the First World War on January 15, 1916, joining the 119th Overseas Battalion. His decision followed that of his brother, John Joseph, who had enl

John Joseph Bussineau was born on October 19, 1890, in Cook Mills Township, into Joseph Bussineau and Annie McKensie’s growing Métis family. Baptized at Precious Blood Church in Sault Ste. Marie, John Joseph was raised in nearby Dunns Valley. On January 3, 1916, only eight months after his mother's death, John Joseph voluntarily enlisted with the 119th Battalion. He arrived in England in August 1916. In December 1916, he was transferred to the 52nd Battalion, where he rapidly