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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Larson, John

John Larson’s name appeared in the 10 June 1916 edition  of the Kenora Miner and News for enlisting with the 197th Battalion. His identity and service could not be confirmed.  

Presley, John Arthur

Private John Arthur Presley was born in Clarence Creek, Russell County, Ontario. His parents were Joseph Presley, a farmer, and Jane Conn. Joseph and Jane were both Irish and born in the Clarence Creek area. John grew up there and he was one of at least ten children. At some point he moved west and… Read More »

Murdoch, Donald Herbert

Born in Keewatin on May 7, 1896, Donald was the son of John Murdoch and Kate Lithgow.   The Murdochs were of Scottish heritage.    His mother, Kate, died of heart disease in December 1899 when he was still 2 years old.   Donald’s father was a tinsmith in Keewatin.   In the 1901 census,… Read More »

Miller, David Greenhill

The third born child, David Greenhill Miller, was born in Abernethy, Perthshire, Scotland on May 24, 1881 to Andrew Miller and Johann Porleous Greenhill. He had 2 older sisters Janet and Mary and his younger siblings were Alexander, George, Joanna  Gilbert and Murray.  David received his education in the ‘Old Country’  Scotland.  He came to… Read More »

Nicolson, Laurence Sinclair

Laurence Sinclair Nicolson was born on 22 April 1888 in Setter, Sandwick Parish, Shetland Islands, Scotland as confirmed by his birth record. His father John Nicolson, a fisherman, was from Hoswick while his mother Margaret Sinclair was from Setter where the couple married on 16 December 1875. Laurence had two known siblings, Davina (1877) and… Read More »

Proudlock, Thomas Hamilton

Thomas Hamilton Proudlock was likely born on 9 April 1897 in Buckingham, Quebec. His father Harral Hamilton (Harry) Proudlock was born in 1863 in the Township of Litchfield, Pontiac, Quebec, now known as Campbell’s Bay. A family tree suggests Harry married Sarah (Sadie) Bigelow on 18 January 1887 in Buckingham, Quebec. Born on 14 March… Read More »

Thrasher, John Mangan

John Mangan Thrasher was a man who lived in rare company. One of the first to volunteer for service in the Kenora area he served the entire war from the fall of 1914 to the spring of 1919 overseas. He rose through the ranks from Private to Captain, and was one of fewer than 100… Read More »

Raslask, Joseph Henry

According to his obituary, Joseph Henry Raslask was born on 25 October 1896 in Poland and served in WW1, service unconfirmed. In later years he went by the surname of Lusk. After immigrating to Canada he found work with the Canadian Pacific Railway, retiring in 1959 as a conductor. Joseph married Vera Johnson and known… Read More »

Hamilton, John Thompson

John Thompson Hamilton was born on 12 December 1896 in Fort William, Ontario. His father Nathaniel Hamilton was from New Brunswick while his mother Margaret Thompson was from England. The couple married on 18 October 1883 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over the years Nathaniel worked as a yard master for the Canadian Pacific Railway, first in… Read More »

Godin, George Joseph

  Birth and childhood years:   George Joseph Godin was born April 14, 1890 in Keewatin, Ontario, son of Joseph Norbert Godin and Mary Morrisseau.  He was baptized in Notre Dame Parish, June 2, 1890, in Kenora, Ontario. George’s father, Joseph, was baptized November,1850, in Trois Rivieres, Quebec; and, his mother, Mary, was born April,1860,… Read More »