McKEE, PTE./SPR.. G.A.Reg. # 657568
George Arthur McKee was born December 25, 1896 in Dunnville, Ontario to Thomas Ferris McKee and Sarah Elizabeth Jane Brown.
At the time of the 1901 census, the family lived in Dunneville.
Thomas McKee died in 1905 leaving Sarah with a family of 5 young children.
Sarah subsequently remarried twice, the second time to Casper William Locher on July 25, 1910 in Paris, Ontario.
By the time of the 1911 census, young George Arthur had struck out on his own and was living in Ryerson Township with the George and May Ward family on Lot 31, Concession 11. George Arthur was identified as a labourer.
At the time of the signing of his Attestation papers on January 17, 1916 George Arthur identified that he was living in Magnetawan. He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. William Laden of Castorville.
After the war, George Arthur married Gladys May Nicholson and had 7 children. In the late 1930’s George married a second time and had 3 additional children. He died in 1974 in Alberta.
In his Discharge Certificate, George was identified as having enlisted in the 162nd on February 17, 1916 in Burks Falls. He was identified as having served in England and France. He was discharged April 2, 1919 as part of demobilization.
In other documentation he was further identified as being a sapper in the Canadian Engineers.
George is identified as having landed in England on November 11, 1916 on the S.S. Caronia.
In December he was identified as part of the 2nd Pioneers and was already ‘In the Field’ which is usually meant to mean France.
In October he appears to have been attached to the Canadian Field Artillery, although based upon later notations, he was still with the 2nd Pioneers.
During his service he received two Good Conduct badges, both received after the war in 1919.
