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Lieut. G.E. McKinnon
Lieut. G.E. McKinnon has been officially reportd killed in action in France,
Aug. 20, according to word received by his wife, who resides in Arrow River.
Lieut. McKinnon joined the Winnipeg rifles in June 1940 training at Shilo
and Debert, going overseas in August, 1941. In May, 1943 he returned to
Canada to attend officers training school at Gordon Head, B.C., and Shilo.
He went overseas in July, 1944, rejoining the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
Besides his wife, and two small sons, he is survived by his father, two
brothers, John and Angus, and one sister, Florrie, all of Arrow River; one
brother James in the army overseas, and three sisters, Mrs. Moody of
Kilarney, Mrs. Geo. Currie, of Kenton, and Mrs. F. Elmhirst, of Carberry.
Lieutenant George Edward McKinnon Killed in Action.
With the stirring news that is being received these days, comes
the Cassualty messages of the men that have been wounded or killed
whilst in action.
That is the price that must be paid to ensure victories. But the
hearts of all are saddened when the news is received that one of the
boys who went from this district had sacrificed his life for the cause
for which he fought .
The message that her hussband had been killed in action in France on
Sunday, August 20th, was received by Mrs. G.E. McKinnon, of Arrow River,
on Tuesday of last week.
George McKinnon was born at Kenton on December 23rd, 1916 and came with
the family to the Palmerston district and later to Arrow River in 1920.
He grew up with the boys in that district, and was well liked. His
sterling qualities led him to recolnize his duty when men were needed to
fight an enemy that threatened to destroy all that Canadians held
dear. In June, 1940, George enlisted in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, and went
overseas with that unit in August, 1941. His capabilities as a leader was
recognized and his promotion from the rank of Private to that of a Sergeant
folled in succession. In May, 1943 he was returned to Canada to take his
training for an officer and went to the school at Gordon Head B.C., and
returned at the completion of his course as a 2nd Lieutenant. Following a
further course at Shilo, he graduated to the full Lieutenancy in August,
1943. Later, he was stationed at Fort Garry and Debert, and returned
overseas on July 4th last.
It is apparent that Lieut. G.E. McKinnon was only in France a few days
before he made the sacrifice.
On August 5th, 1940, his marriage to Helen Tennant, daughter of Mr and
Mrs. J.F. Tennant, formerly of Arrow River, now of 170 Dovercourt Rd.
Toronto took place in Arrow River.
In a conversation the Editor of this paper had with some of the men who
were in Lieut. McKinnon's company at Fort Garry, it was learned that the
men had the greatest respect for their officer, who always gave them
every consideration and was prepared to go with them in everything that
duty called for. Soldiers have a way of being very frank in the expression
of their opinion of their superior officers.
As the loss of an esteemed citizen, an officer and a gentleman is mourned,
there will be the assurance when the full facts are made known, that he
met death in the heroic discharge of his duty as an officer of the Royal
Winnipeg Rifles, who have fought so valiantly in the battles in France.
To those bereaved: his wife and two sons, George and Garry; his father
and four sisters, Mrs.C. Moody, Killarney; Mrs. F. Elmhirst, of Carberry.