Kenora Great War Project

 

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The People

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These are the stories of Kenora participants in the First World War.

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Marr, William Noble

Private William Marr joined the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles in the field in June 1917 and only ten days later he sustained a severe wound to the face, ending in his early return to Canada. The son of Jane Ann Noble, William Noble was born on 6 October 1886 in Swalwell, Durham in England. Although… Read More »

Parent, Joseph

Private Joseph Parent was called up for service in November 1917 and sent to France a year later. He returned to Canada in March 1919. Joseph was born in Montreal on 20 March 1892 and baptized the same day as Joseph Octave Napoleon Parent. His parents, Octave Parent and CĂ©cile Plamondon, were married in Montreal… Read More »

Matthews, Owen Joseph

Owen Joseph Matthews was born on 10 December 1898 in North Leith, Edinburgh County in Scotland. His father Michael Matthews was from Ireland while his mother Catherine McKinnon was from Portmahomach, Tarbot by Fearn in Ross-shire, Scotland. The couple married on 6 June 1888 in North Leith. Over the years Michael worked as a gas… Read More »

Nicolson, Murdoch

Murdoch (Murdo) Nicolson was born on February 26, 1890 in Inverness Scotland. His father, John Nicolson, was a shepherd. His mother’s forename was Kristina/Christie (nee Nicolson). Siblings included: Donald (b. 1880), Archie (b. 1881), Rachel (b. 1884), Hugh (b. 1889), John (b. 1900) and Alexander (b. 1901). When Murdoch immigrated to Canada in April of… Read More »

Lapworth, George Thomas

George Thomas Lapworth was born 11 August 1889 in Rugby, Warwickshire, England to George Lapworth and Mary Jane (West) Lapworth. He was baptized at St. Andrew’s Church in Rugby on 30 August 1889. In the 1891 England Census, Mary Jane was listed as a widow ‘living on means’ with her son, George and two boarders… Read More »

Smith, John Andrew

Private John Andrew Smith enlisted in March 1916 and served in France and Belgium with the 52nd (New Ontario) Battalion. During the Second World War he joined the Veterans’ Guard. John was born in Quebec, sometime between about 1880 and 1888, and moved to northwestern Ontario as a young man. He was married in the… Read More »

Duncan, Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson Duncan was listed as a teamster in the Kenora area when he enlisted signing his attestation papers in Fort Frances, Ontario on 28 July 1915. His previous employment was as a delivery/salesman for R. W. Ferrier’s grocery business. His parents Robert Ainsley Duncan and Elizabeth A. McFee moved west to the rural district… Read More »

Meyin, James W

The name of James W Meyin appeared in the 12 August 1914 edition of the Kenora Miner and News as one of the new volunteers for the war. His identity nor service could be confirmed.  

Hansen, John William

Illness and disease caused many casualties in the First World War and some soldiers died even before they left Canada.Trooper John William Hansen of Keewatin, Ontario had three older brothers who served overseas and they all survived the war. John joined the 34th Fort Garry Horse in December 1918 and the following spring, during his… Read More »