143 The Royal Canadian Legion www.mbnwo.legion.ca McKEE, Allan Gordon WWI Allan was born on June 4, 1920, to Alex and Barbara (Robertson) McKee in the Municipality of Langford, south of Neepawa. He attended the Glenburney School until Grade 8 and then left to help with the farm. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in October 1941 and took his training in Winnipeg, Portage, and Red Deer. Allan was then sent overseas to England in 1942, and he spent the next year and a half there. He went on to Italy until October 1944 and moved on to Belgium, Holland and Germany until February 1946. He was discharged on April 30, 1946. Allan came home to Canada and purchased some land for a farm and then married Evelyn Chambers on October 10, 1949. They remained on the farm until their retirement. He was active in the Cordova Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion until the branch closed. He then joined the Neepawa Branch 23. The Legion was an important part of his life, and he was a proud member since 1949. He was also awarded a life membership in 1991. Allan passed away on March 22, 2011 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa. McMURCHY, Argyle WWI Argyle was born on March 12, 1898, to John and Elizabeth (Connell) McMurchy in Arden, Manitoba. He attended Normal School in Brandon and then enlisted in the 184th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Winnipeg in March 1916. He was sent overseas to England in October of that year and joined the 27th Battalion later. Argyle was wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, while bringing in a wounded comrade under fire. In June 1918, after a successful raid on the enemy trenches, he received the Military Medal and was recommended for a commission. He was promoted to Sergeant on the field and was in all the big battles of 1918. He spent time in hospitals in France and England. In October 1918, Argyle was posted to England to take an officer’s training course and on February 15, 1919, he received his discharge from the army with the rank of Gentleman Cadet. Argyle taught school for a few years and then entered Manitoba Medical College, graduating in 1930. He practiced medicine in several Saskatchewan towns. He married Jean Miller on November 7, 1931. Argyle passed away on March 5, 1957, and is buried in the military section of Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Regina. McRAE, Alexander WWII Alexander was born on September 6, 1901, to John and Bella (McLeod) McRae in Greenoch, Scotland. He moved to Canada with his parents around 1905 and settled in Plumas. He received his education at Tenby School and later moved to the west coast where he was employed on a boat that transported supplies to the coastal lighthouses. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery in Regina, Saskatchewan and took his training in Petawawa, Ontario. Alexander was posted overseas in December 1941. He was serving in the battlefields of Italy when he lost his life on December 26, 1944. He was helping a fellow soldier who was going on leave, pack his bags. The soldier’s rifle accidentally discharged when Alexander attempted to unload it. The shell struck Alexander, killing him. In a message to his parents from Major R.H.Wallace, the officer commanding “P” Battery, 1st Canadian Survey Regiment, RCA: “Alex was an uncommon soldier in that he was so friendly with everyone. Everyone knew him and liked him. Not many people will pass away and leave fewer enemies than your son.” Gunner Alexander McRae was buried in Argenta Gap War Cemetery in Argenta, Italy. McRae Lake (63 J/9) west of Cross Lake was named after him in 1981.
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