Interesting Facts

Son of Alec and Rose Osawomick of Manitowaning, ON. Anishinaabe First Nation, born and raised in Kaboni, Manitoulin Island, ON. Graduate of Garnier school, Spanish where he excelled as a hockey player. After the death of his father, he took over most of the work on their farm on Manitoulin Island along with his two brothers, Adam and Bernard.

In September 1941, John travelled to Sudbury to enlist with the Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury Regiment of the R.C.I.C. On his enlistment papers he wrote "did not want to be conscripted," although the officer who interviewed him wrote that he was co-operative during his interview. On Sept. 24, 1944, Pte. Osawomick was patrolling the docks in Antwerp, Belgium when he fell into the Atlantic ocean and drowned under the weight of the pack he was carrying.

Images

Credit: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26734

Credit: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26734

Credit: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26734

Credit: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26734

Credit: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26734

Credit: The Manitoulin Expositor, 1994.