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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Gordon, David Gibson

David (Pax) Gibson Gordon was born to James William Gordon and Helen Douglas Gibson Gordon in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on January 30, 1899. The family immigrated to Canada on the SS Corinthian, arriving in Montreal, Quebec on September 6, 1906.   From there, they made their way directly to Keewatin, Ontario   where many of… Read More »

McAskill, Kenneth

Private Kenneth McAskill was 43 years old and married when he enlisted in Kenora in February 1916. He spent two and a half years overseas, including 13 months in France with the 12th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops. Kenneth grew up on a small island in the Outer Hebrides, an island chain off the northwest coast… Read More »

Stevenson, Henry Raymond

Henry Raymond Stevenson was born on 5 May 1901 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora) in northwestern Ontario. His father Andrew Stevenson was born in Namdalen, Norway and immigrated to Canada around 1896, settling in Rat Portage with two of his brothers to work as miners. The family surname was Sivertsen, changed to Stevenson upon… Read More »

Weston, Sidney

Sidney Weston was born on 7 May 1882 in Newington, London, England. He was the son of George and Emma (née Tucker) Weston who had married on 26 May 1867 in Newington.  For the 1891 census the family was living in Newington, London, Sidney’s father’s occupation listed as greengrocer. Children living in the household were… Read More »

Primmer, Harry Emmerson

Harry Emmerson Primmer was born in the area of Hepworth, Amabel Township in the county of Bruce, Ontario. A birth record could not be found but it is likely that he was born on 5 May 1893. Census documents give his birth as 5 May 1893, his obituary as 1894, and his attestation papers/service record… Read More »

Nicolson, Murdoch

Murdoch (Murdo) Nicolson was born on February 26, 1890 in Inverness Scotland. His father, John Nicolson, was a shepherd. His mother’s forename was Kristina/Christie (nee Nicolson). Siblings included: Donald (b. 1880), Archie (b. 1881), Rachel (b. 1884), Hugh (b. 1889), John (b. 1900) and Alexander (b. 1901). When Murdoch immigrated to Canada in April of… Read More »

Haulas, Peter

Peter Haulas’ name appeared in the 24 June 1916 edition of the Kenora Miner and News for enlisting with the 221st Battalion. His identity and service could not be confirmed.  

Burgess, William Cowie

William Cowie Burgess was born on 11 January 1886 in Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland. His father George Burgess was from Rathven, and his mother Jane Ingram was from Fordyce, both in Banffshire. The couple married in 1871 in Fordyce. The 1881 Scotland census found George working as a van driver and at the time of William’s… Read More »

Kelley, William Henry

Although he gave his birth year as 1895 on his attestation papers, William Henry Kelley was born on 22 October 1894 in Keewatin, Ontario. His father David Kelley and his mother Catherine Jane Boswell were both from Liverpool, England and had immigrated to Canada in 1887. Along with his parents George and Lucy Kelley and… Read More »

Beatty, Frank William

Frank William Beatty was born 28 April 1892 in Silverbrook, Ontario.  His parents were William John Beatty and Annie Grieves. Siblings included Elizabeth Beatrice and Mary (1891-1909). Frank’s father was a teacher, but in 1892 he went to medical school and by 1896 became a doctor.  Dr. Beatty first practised in Collingwood and then in… Read More »