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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Redsky, James

Private James Redsky enlisted in June 1916 and served with the 52nd Battalion in France and Belgium. He returned to Canada in January 1919. James (Esquakesik) was the son of Chief Redsky (Miskokesik) and Endopeek of Shoal Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario. Chief Redsky and his wife had at least seven sons and five… Read More »

Drewry, William Starkey

Captain William Starkey Drewry spent more than a year overseas with the 61st and 10th Battalions. After being invalided back to Canada in 1917 he served as a recruitment officer in the U.S. William grew up in a prominent and wealthy family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His father, Edward Lancaster Drewry, was originally from London, England…. Read More »

Weir, Jessie Helen

Jessie Helen Weir was born on  13 August 1892 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora), Ontario. Her father William Anderson Weir was from Glasgow, Scotland and had immigrated to Canada in 1883. Her mother Josephine Van Felson was born in Quebec City where the couple married in 1889. The marriage registration gave William’s occupation as… Read More »

McDonald, Walter John

According to his baptism record, Walter John (Jack) McDonald was born on 19 November 1896 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora), Ontario. His father Duncan Alexander McDonald was from Ontario while his mother Mary Elizabeth Kerr was from Scotland, the couple marrying on 21 October 1886 in East Selkirk, Manitoba. By the time of the… Read More »

Gloyn, Bertram

Sapper Bertram Arthur Gloyn enlisted in July 1916 and served in France with the 107th Pioneer Battalion. He returned to Canada in December 1918. Bertram was the youngest of five sons of Robert Elson Gloyn and Emma Jane Nancollis of Wandsworth, London, England. Robert and Emma were both born in Stoke Damerel, Devonport, which is… Read More »

Redsky, W

As reported in the Kenora Miner and News on 2 April 1919, the towns of Kenora and Keewatin held a large reception in the Tourist Hotel for returning veterans. On the list was W Redsky. His identity could not be confirmed but it is possible that it was either James or   Edward Redsky  

Sundblad, Harry

Bror Henning Sundblad was born on 21 November 1886 in Torp, Västernorrland in Sweden. His father Johan Sundblad was from Sunne in Värmland while his mother Märta Julia MГҐrtensdotter was from Bergsjö in Gävleborg. The couple married on 23 October 1879 in the parish of Boda in Torp. Over the years while in Sweden Johan’s… Read More »

Savage, Albert

Private Albert Savage was born in England and living in Canada when the war started. He returned to the UK and enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corps, serving with them for four years. Albert was born in 1888 or 1889 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He immigrated to Canada around 1911 and lived in Regina,… Read More »

Anderson, J

The Lake of the Woods Milling Company in Keewatin, Ontario created a roll of honour after the war, commemorating the fallen as well as all that served. One of the fallen was listed as J Anderson.  

Norberg, Charles Edward

Charles Edward Norberg was born on 20 August 1891 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora) in northwestern Ontario. His father Charles Eric Norberg was from Sweden while his mother Marguerite Jensen was from Denmark, the couple marrying in Rat Portage. At the time of the marriage Charles Sr’s occupation was given as fireman, later given… Read More »