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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McGuire, Russell Edward

Russell Edward McGuire was born on 28 February 1900 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora), Ontario. Both of his parents, Edwin Ernest McGuire and Mary Jessie (May) Parsons, were from Quebec. The couple married in late 1885 in Richmond, Quebec although Edwin was listed as working in Montreal as a fireman, presumably with a railway,… Read More »

Sanson, Ralph

Although he gave his birth date as 20 September 1888 on his attestation papers, Ralph Sansom (spelling later changed to Sanson) was born on 25 September 1887 in Emery, York, Ontario. Emery later became known as a neighbourhood in north Toronto. His father Alfred Sansom was from London, England while his mother Sarah Ann Sutton… Read More »

Gourevitch, Simon

Private Simon Gourevitch enlisted in August 1914 and served with the 8th Battalion (Royal Winnipeg Rifles). He survived four years of war and returned to Canada in the spring of 1919. According to his attestation Simon was born on 16 May 1885 in Smolensk, Russia, a city in the western part of the country near… Read More »

Horan, James Ambrose

James Ambrose Horan was born on 27 December 1880 in Seaforth, Huron, Ontario. His father John Horan was born in Ontario, with his father, James’ grandfather, born in Ireland. James’ mother Mary Ann McFadden was born in Ontario with her parents also from Ireland. James was the second born, having an older brother John Joseph,… Read More »

Sweet, Francis Lloyd

Frank Lloyd Sweet was born 01 January 1895 in Keewatin, Ontario.   His parents were Samuel Charles Sweet and Margaret Anne Christie.   His siblings included Margaret (1890-1890), Sarah Jane (1901-1901), Alexander Charles, Samuel Rayburn, Mary Beatrice, Helen, Marjorie Elizabeth, Robert, Fred, Thomas Edwin and James Christie. Frank received his education in Keewatin schools and… Read More »

Wynne, Harold Everett

Lance Corporal Harold Everett Wynne enlisted in Winnipeg in March 1916, at age 18. He suffered a bayonet wound in September 1917 while training in France and he was invalided back to Canada about four months later. Harold was the only son of John Everett Wynne and Eliza Fowler. John and his wife were both… Read More »

Broley, Robert Wilson

Although he gave his place of birth as Barrie, Ontario on his attestation papers, it is likely that Robert Wilson Broley was born in nearby Innisfall. He was the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Gilpin) Broley, both born in Canada to Irish immigrants. The family farmed in the Essa and Tossorontio areas of Simcoe and… Read More »

Watson, William

Private William Watson was 44 years old when he enlisted in April 1916. He served for more than two and a half years in Canada and the UK. His oldest son was missing and presumed killed in June 1916 at the Battle of Mount Sorrel. William was born in Manchester, Lancashire, England on 29 February… Read More »

Forsyth, John Fulton

John Fulton Forsyth was born on 1 October 1896 in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. His parents Edward Forsyth and Elizabeth Robb were both from Maybole, marrying on 27 December 1895 in the Commercial Hotel in Maybole. At the time Edward’s occupation was given as shoemaker (journeyman) while Elizabeth was working as a shoe fitter. John was… Read More »

Sigurdson, Harold Edward

Private Harold Edward Sigurdson signed up in Port Arthur, Ontario in January 1918 and served overseas with the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish). He returned home to Canada in May 1919. Edward was the only child of Captain Harold and Alice Sigurdson of Kenora, Ontario. He was born in September 1892 and adopted by Harold and… Read More »