PAGET, PTE. LORNE
Henry ‘ Lorne’ Paget, son of Alfred Henry and Maude Gertrude ‘Gertie’ (Burgess) Paget. was born in Ahmic Harbour on May 5, 1904. (At the time of the 1911 census, Lorne was identified as living with his parents and brother Howard on Lot 16, Concession 9 Croft Twp. Living with the family was Lorne’s grandfather Henry Paget and a number of lodgers.
On October 13, 1903 a “Memorandum of Agreement and Stock Book” was signed for the Croft Lumber Company by; George Paget, James Rae (of Ahmic Harbour), Charles Edward Paget; Alfred Henry Paget; and Arthur Edward Paget.
Henry 'Lorne' Paget
It is thought that James Rae had started a logging operation, in the area, in the late 1890’s and teamed up with the Paget’s in 1903. The Knoepfli property was purchased, by the Croft Lumber Company on Mar 4, 1914 for $1200. It appears that logging operations ceased about 1926 when the lot was purchased by Alfred Paget, on March 17, 1926, the year he built the Knoepfli Inn. The Inn was sold in 1947. Throughout this period Alfred and Maud Gertrude (Burgess) Paget lived at the Inn, in Magnetawan and some winters in Barrie.
The Paget family (Lorne’s parents) is discussed on pages 246-248, Looking Back With the Magnetawan Women’s Institute. Lorn’e mother was one of the founding members of the Magnetawan Women’s Institute.
In fact, Lorne;s grandfather Grandfather was the manager of the Croft Lumber Company which had a mill where the swiss Country restaurant is now located.
Lorne travelled to the United States crossing at Buffalo as a student in 1922.
Prior to war, at age 21, Lorne was in States with the ‘Paget grain door’ invention (Cdn patent registered in 1909). Formed in buffal the Paget Car Cooperage company in Buffalo. Worked with 5 different train compmaies out of Buffalo, Scranton and others.
Lorne was an accoutant in Buffalo before enlisting.
When Lorne joined the army he went to Parry Sound for Regimental Parades. There was another name for the unit. – the Pioneers.
Regardless he returned to Canada and worked part time as a hunting and fishing guide at Knoefli before the war
Lorne Paget enlisted in the Algonquin Regiment in Magnetawan. Lorne was promoted to Captain and served as an Aide-de-Camp to one of 3 Generals in charge of Canadian troops in Newfoundland 1942-46.
At time of writing it is believed that Lorne joined the Algonquin Regiment around the time it was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Algonquin Regiment, CASF on 7 November 1940.[1]
The small 4" plaque at right notes in pencil on the back: Small Arms Course #804 July 8, 1943 Long Branch, Ont
(Small Arms training Course taken at Longbranch, Ontario
Military training area near Mimico.)
Below, Lt. H. L. Paget patches
Regardless he returned to Canada and worked part time as a hunting and fishing guide at Knoefli before the war
Lorne Paget's 'dog tags'
Garry Paget son of Lorne Paget notes that: “Dad took his Small Arms course, in Longbranch (near Mimico), in June 1943. I believe he headed to Newfoundland shortly thereafter.”
Garry further notes that: “As described to me by my Mom's brother, Dad was an Aide-de-Camp to one of three generals in charge of Canadian troops, in Newfoundland, during WW2.
To the best of my research...and with a little speculation...I believe that general was Maj. - Gen. L. F. Page , C.B.,D.S.O. ((scroll down to 2 entries, in the first attachment below, highlighted in red). The 2nd attachment below contains this link:
https://www.saskatoonlightinfantry.org/major-general-lionel-frank-page-cb-dso.html
In this link, the following item is recorded:
"Tragically, Lionel Page (Gen. Page) passed away from the effects of the gas attack he endured in WWI, on Aug. 26, 1944 at the age of 59."
The Headquarters was at Winterholme - given by widow of man who owned it, to Canadian Army. Winterholme would be used until done and then returned to widow in condition when first received. Lorne Paget was part of the decommisisoning of Winterholme
Lorne married Agatha ‘Ann’ Frances Okeefe in Montreal in December of 1945 or 1946 and returned to Magnetawan. Ann had been a secretary to the same general Lorne reported to, They married in Dec 1946 and returned to live in Magnetawan and Knoepfli Inn until about 1949. (Lorne’s parents continued to live in Magnetawan after Lorne’s return.
When Knoepfli Inn reopened in the Spring they moved back into the house across the road from Knoefli and lived on the upper floor. My understanding is that the building was the old Knoepfli house and the lower floor was the store/ice cream shop and maybe even a gas station.
The family sold the inn around 1947. (Lorne’s father wanted to retire and Lorne could not afford to purchase the property despite wanting to stay and manage it.
Lorne and Anne’s first child, a girl, was born May 25, 1947 in Parry Sound.
Garry born May 2, 1950) – his grandfather had been born on the same date in 1872 or 1873.
At that point dad and family moved to Strathroy where in 1946 bought a coal business and then moved family south. Never talked about service. Too old to be in active service.
Lorne at Knoefi, 1947
Fishing near Bay Bulls, 1945
Agatha 'Ann' Frances O'Keefe about to board the Newfie Bullet. From left to right: Fred O'Keefe (Ann's brother), unknown, Mike Keen (husband of Ann's sister), Dorothy O'Keefe and Ann O'Keefe. Picture taken December 1945.
Wedding Supper. In Normandy Room, Mount Royal Hotel, Montreal, December 15, 1945. Frances O'Keefe on left (married Dr. Leroy Leblanc). Ann (O'Keefe) and Lorne Paget at back right of table. Front right, Dorothy (O'Keefe) Keene.
[1] (from Wikipedia)
"The regiment mobilized as The Algonquin Regiment, CASF for active service on 24 May 1940. It was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Algonquin Regiment, CASF on 7 November 1940. The battalion initially served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 20th Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Division and in Newfoundland from 7 February 1942 to 6 February 1943. It embarked for Great Britain on 11 June 1943 and landed in France on 25 July 1944, as part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division, and continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The overseas battalion disbanded on 15 February 1946."
