Millson, Kenneth William

As a seventeen-year-old, Kenneth looked forward to the new  adventures awaiting him in Ontario. Born September 23, 1918, in Viceroy, Saskatchewan, he enjoyed western family life with his eight siblings. Kenneth made the long journey eastward in 1935 with his parents, four sisters and three   brothers. They farmed rural property near Ingersoll. He met Mado P. Powell and on June 14, 1941, they were married. The young bride was soon to spend many lonely hours apart from her husband.
With the world at war, Kenneth felt it his patriotic duty to enlist in the army in 1941, serving as a private. He took his training at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario; not long after, he was shipped overseas to serve with the Canadian army in Europe. He was a main cook and a machinist. His culinary skills proved a hit with his fellow soldiers! Stories are told of generals awakening him in the wee hours of the morning to make bu­tter tarts or other sweets for their guests.
Kenneth was discharged from the armed forces on March 8, 1946. Returning to Ingersoll, he worked at the quarries near Beachville for a number of years. His cooking talents were still appreciated by friend and family throughout the years. Moving to the country, he worked hard to build the family home on Lot 1 Concession 2, North Oxford. He and Mado were busy raising their three sons and three daughters. Kenneth lived the remaining years of his life at this residence, until his death on February 17, 1996.