Dusome Family: Music and Memories

George Dusome's brief life is best remembered not just for his sacrifice, but for the joy, warmth, and sense of togetherness that once shaped it and continue to define his memory.

Family gatherings were central to the Métis household in which George grew up in Penetanguishene, where time spent together offered comfort, strength, and a sense of belonging. George’s niece, Leona Paul, recalled the care George carried for his family. 

George voluntarily enlisted in the First World War and was killed in action at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, at just 17 years old. His niece, Leona, believed he went to war to earn money to send home to his mother, a decision rooted in responsibility and devotion to family. 

That same sense of care was reflected in the joy he found at home, surrounded by his many brothers and sisters. Leona remembered the lively gatherings that defined their family life, saying:

"They loved to dance, they loved to sing, they loved to play the mouth organ and guitar."

Music and laughter filled these moments, reinforcing Dusome family bonds that endured even after George’s tragic passing.

Today, George Dusome is remembered not only as a fallen Métis soldier but as a beloved son, brother, and uncle, whose love of family, music, and togetherness continues to bring his relatives together in remembrance.

See Our Sources

• On their way to Vimy, students learn what ‘nobody on earth can imagine’

• George Dusome, Canadian Great War Project

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