Personal Details | |
Date of Birth | February 11, 1896 |
Place of Birth | Kenora, Ontario |
Country | Canada |
Marital Status | Single |
Next of Kin | Mrs. Florida Degagne, mother, 34 Valade St., St. Boniface, Manitoba |
Trade / Calling | Clerk |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Service Details | |
Regimental Number | 2382469 |
Service Record | Link to Service Record |
Battalion | 1st Depot Battalion Manitoba Regiment |
Force | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
Branch | Canadian Infantry |
Enlisted / Conscripted | Conscripted |
Address at Enlistment | 34 Valade St., St. Boniface, Manitoba |
Date of Enlistment | April 30, 1918 |
Age at Enlistment | 22 |
Theatre of Service | Canada |
Prisoner of War | No |
Survived War | Yes |
Death Details | |
Date of Death | June 23, 1966 |
Age at Death | 70 |
Buried At | St. Boniface Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Joseph Emmanuel Degagne was born on 11 February 1896 in Rat Portage (now Kenora), Ontario. His parents were Pierre George Degagne and Florida Charron. Siblings included: George (1893-1970), Emile (1894-1953), Leo (b. 1897), 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 Joseph was working as a clerk in The Blue Store on Main Street, Winnipeg. His father and brothers George and Emile enlisted with the 230th Forestry Battalion and travelled overseas for service in WW1. Along with his brother Leo, Joseph was drafted, both signing their attestation papers on 30 April 1918 in Winnipeg. He served in Canada with the Manitoba Regimental 1st Depot Battalion until his discharge due to demobilization on 03 January 1919 at Minto Barracks in Winnipeg.
Joseph married Ernestine Couture on 23 August 1920 in St. Boniface (now part of Winnipeg). Born on 12 November 1897 in St. Boniface, Ernestine was the daughter of Pierre Couture and Philomene Cusson. The 1921 census found the newlyweds living with Ernestine’s parents and some of her siblings in St. Boniface, later making their home on nearby Langevin Street. They gave birth to two known children, daughters Lorette and Louise. Over the years Voters’ lists of St. Boniface gave Joseph’s occupation as commission agent and salesman. According to his obituary he was advertising manager for the Canadian Publishers and was also connected with the CKS radio station.
Joseph died suddenly in Regina, Saskatchewan on 23 June 1966. At the time of his death he was survived by his two daughters Lorette and Mrs Louise (Harvey) Little, brothers George and Leo, sister Flora Tafe, and four grandchildren. Ernestine died on 22 July 1995 and is buried with Joseph and her parents in St. Boniface Cemetery.
Gravemarker photo courtesy of Albert Riezebos, Canada Gen Web Cemetery Project