George Mark Bussineau: Service and Sacrifice
- Ontario Métis Facts
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 10 minutes ago
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 enlisted just a few weeks prior.
The Bussineau brothers trained together as privates in Niagara over the spring before shipping out to England in August 1916, and remained together after their initial deployment, when they were transferred to the 52nd Battalion in December 1916.
On January 7, 1917, George Mark was severely injured by a gunshot wound to the head and was immediately rushed to the Number 30 Casualty Clearing Station in Aubigny-les-Artois near the front lines. After nine days of treatment, he died on January 16, 1917, one year after he first volunteered for service.
Today, George Mark Bussineau rests at the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension in France. His legacy of service and sacrifice, like that of countless other Métis veterans from throughout history, continues to be honoured to this day.
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