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Biography
Private James Punch was born June 9, 1923 in Beauly, Antigonish County. He was the son of Alex David Punch and Mary Carrol. His father Alex David Punch was a veteran of the First World War.
Punch joined the Canadian Army at age 20 in 1943. He became a member of the Canadian Artillery and served in France, Germany, Italy and Holland. After his tour in Europe, he re-enlisted for service in the Pacific Front.
Following the war, Punch moved to Kitimat, British Columbia and worked at the Alcan Aluminum Smelter in Kitimat. In 1958, he married Eileen Marie Nachtegaele of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. They had two sons and three daughters. They remained in Kitimat until 1970 when they moved to Prince George, British Columbia where Punch was employed as a millwright at Canfor Pulpmill. He retired in 1988. In 2008, Punch broke his hip and eventually moved to Merrit, British Columbia to be closer to family. He moved to Gillis House nursing home in Merrit in 2013. Punch died at age 91 on August 12, 2014 at Gillis House, Merrit, British Columbia. He is buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Merritt, British Columbia.
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