Kenora Great War Project

 

You can also view an Alphabetical List

The People

soldier_photobar

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

Search by name, or filter the search results using the list of options below.

Thomas, George

Private George Thomas was a fisherman living on Lake of the Woods when he was called up for service in May 1918. He spent 14 months in Great Britain and returned home in the fall of 1919. George was born on 15 May 1893, either at Sabaskosing on Lake of the Woods or in the… Read More »

Weston, William

William Weston was born on 2 March 1886 in Ramsey, Huntingdon, England. His parents George and Harriet (née Rolt) Weston had married during the last quarter of 1862 in Ramsey. The 1871 England census found the Weston family living on Horne Road in Ramsey, household members including parents George and Harriet, and children Ann, age… Read More »

Hamilton, Alexander

Alexander Hamilton was born on 26 September 1893 in the parish of Cambusnethan in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Both of his parents, Alexander Hamilton and Mary Lindsay, were from the area, marrying on 24 June 1892 in Cambusnethan. At the time of the marriage Alexander Sr’s occupation was given as sawmill engine keeper. Other children born… 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.  

Stawell, Ralph Eustace

When the war started Sergeant Ralph Eustace Stawell was one of the early volunteers, enlisting with the 1st Canadian Contingent in September 1914 and serving overseas for more than four years, most of that time with the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was wounded twice but he survived the war and returned to Canada in January… Read More »

Denault, John Arthur

  John Arthur (Jack) Denault was born on 28 April 1896 in Fort Coulonge, Quebec. His parents, both born in Quebec, were Joseph and Marie Anna (née Paré) Denault who had married in 1879 in LaPasse, Ontario. Children born to the couple were Joseph Edward (1880), Mary (1882), James Frank (1886), Jane (1889), Michael William… Read More »

Thorsteinson, Oscar

Born as Asgier Thorsteinsson he became known as ‘Oscar Thorsteinson’sometime after his arrival in Canada. He was the son of Thorvaldur (called Valdi) Thorsteinsson and Ragnihildur Eyolfsdottir. His mother separated from Valdi and left Iceland about 1902 taking their youngest child, Oscar, with her. She settled in Seattle, Washington. Oscar, born January 17, 1897, was… Read More »

Woods, Walter Ralph

Walter Ralph Woods was born on 13 January 1897 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora), Ontario. His parents Russell Woods, originally from Quebec, and Elizabeth Fletcher,  born in Ontario, had married in Winnipeg on 29 December 1886. By the 1891 Canada census the Woods family was living in Rat Portage East, father Russell’s occupation given… Read More »