Private Leo Charles Degagne

Private (Army).

Leo Charles Degagne was born on 06 March 1897 in Rat Portage (now Kenora), Ontario. His parents were Pierre George Degagne and Florida Charron. Siblings included: George (1893-1970), Emile (1894-1953), Joseph (1896-1966), Maria (1899-1899), Albert (1901-1901), Ida (1902-1903), Flora (b. 1904) and Clovis (1906-1915). The 1911 census showed the family living in the neighboring town of Keewatin where Pierre was working as a boat builder.

By 1916 the Degagne family had moved to St. Boniface, Manitoba and Leo was working as a clerk. His father and brothers George and Emile enlisted with the 230th Forestry Battalion and travelled overseas for service in WW1. Along with his brother Joseph, Leo was drafted, both signing their attestation papers on 30 April 1918 in Winnipeg. His occupation was given as reporter and his mother in St. Boniface as next of kin. He served as a Private with the 1st Depot Battalion Manitoba Regiment until being transferred to the Canadian Garrison Regiment on 03 July 1918. Six days later he was discharged in order to re-enlist in the Royal Air Force. Leo attested with the RAF on 22 July 1918, occupation given as machinist (engine) and his father as next of kin, and was given the service #270072. However, after just nine days with the RAF he was discharged in Winnipeg as not getting final approval. He signed another set of attestation papers with the 1st Depot Battalion Manitoba Regiment on 21 August, given medical category C2 due to the improper function of both legs caused by old fractures. He was discharged on return to Registrar's records on 3 September 1918.

Leo married Blanche Victoria Campbell on 24 September 1924 in Winnipeg. Born in 1900 in Winnipeg, Blanche was the daughter of John Fayden Campbell and Elizabeth Carmichael. Together Leo and Blanche gave birth to one known child, daughter June. The 1935 Voter's List showed Leo living on his own on Assiniboine Avenue working as a clerk. His divorce from Blanche was granted on 03 August 1944. On 29 August 1946, in Winnipeg, Leo married Kathleen Gladys Corrine Daly. It appears that they gave birth to two sons. He stayed in the Winnipeg South central area until at least 1965 working as an "organizer" and in public relations. Newspaper reports indicated that Leo was a member of the Empire Club and also the Social Credit League. Another report announced his divorce from Corrine in February of 1972.

Leo Charles Degagne died on 16 March 1980 in Winnipeg. He was survived by his sister Flora Tafe of Thunder Bay as well as his daughter and sons and their spouses, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces Louise Little and Lorette Degagne, and special friend Francesca Sagura. Funeral services were held in Thomson Funeral Chapel with cremation following.