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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McCutchan, Edward Head

Edward Head McCutchan was among the early volunteers for the 52nd Battalion, the first infantry battalion to be raised in Northwestern Ontario during the war with volunteers from Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden, Port Arthur and Fort William. Recruiting had begun in the fall of 1914 and Edward McCutcheon enlisted as a private on Dec 18,… Read More »

Sprickling, Ernest

Along with a number of other fellows, the name Ernest Sprickling appeared in the 21 October 1914 edition of the Kenora Miner and News. The article stated that the volunteers had gone to Winnipeg to enlist in the war. Ernest’s identity and service could not be confirmed.  

Absetz, Joseph Anton

Joseph Anton Absetz was born on 02 July 1891. Although Joseph stated in his enlistment papers that he was born in Moose Factory all the evidence proves that he was 1 of 4 boys born in Tower, Minnesota to Austrian immigrants Joseph and Annie Absetz (1900 United States Federal Census). The 1930 Census states that… Read More »

Brydges, Edward Webster

Private Edward Webster Brydges was 52 years old when he enlisted in July 1915. He served in France and Belgium for fifteen months with the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers) and returned to Canada in March 1918. Edward’s parents, William Brydges and Elizabeth Summerfield, were married in 1862 in Haldimand County, Ontario (called Canada West at… Read More »

Blake, Alfred

Sapper Alfred Blake enlisted in February 1916 and served for three years in England, France and Belgium. He survived the war and returned to Canada in April 1919. Alfred was the son of George Blake and Emma Sanham of Hellesdon, Norwich, Norfolk County, England. George and Emma were married in Norwich in 1869 and they… Read More »

Tellingham, William

In an article published in the Kenora Miner and News on 19 December 1914, the name of William Tellingham appeared on the list of recent recruits for the third contingent. His identity nor service could be confirmed.  

Reeves, James George

James George Reeves was born to Jonathan and Sarah Ann Reeves on April 13, 1880 in Tadworth, Surrey, England. In the 1891 U.K. census, his mother was 59, father 54 and there were several siblings: Frances Elizabeth (30), William Jonathan (21), Ada (20), Thomas (15), James George himself (12), and Herbert Edgar (9). In the… Read More »

Currie, Sidney Wright

Private Sidney Wright Currie enlisted in a forestry unit in January 1917, at age 35, and served overseas for two years. Sidney was the son of Archibald and Annie Currie of Souris East, King’s County, Prince Edward Island. He was born in Souris East (now the Town of Souris) on 14 March 1881. He had… Read More »

Hitchen, Frederick

It is likely that Frederick Hitchen was born on 18 October 1863 in Cressing, Essex, England although his death record gives the year as 1864. His father, born in Finchingfield, Essex, was  Aaron Hitchen and his mother, born in Bradwell, Essex, was Mary Ann Ager. Aaron and Mary Ann had married during the third quarter of… Read More »

Carey, Cecil

Private Cecil Carey was born on 11 January 1888 in West Flamborough Township, Wentworth County, Ontario. His birth was registered as Irwin Cecil Carey but he was usually known as Cecil or Cecil Irwin. His parents, William Gray Carey and Mary Ann Langton, were both born in Millgrove, West Flamborough. They were married in 1877… Read More »