Kenora Great War Project

 

Personal Details
Date of BirthApril 26, 1889
Place of BirthBouchette, Quebec
CountryCanada
Marital StatusSingle
Next of KinMrs. Mary Long, Kenora, Ontario, Sister
Trade / Callinglogger
ReligionRoman Catholic
Service Details
Regimental Number2140925
Service Record Link to Service Record
Battalion2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment
ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
BranchCanadian Infantry
Enlisted / ConscriptedConscripted
Address at EnlistmentCourtney, British Columbia
Date of EnlistmentSeptember 12, 1918
Age at Enlistment29
Theatre of ServiceEurope
Prisoner of WarNo
Survived WarYes
Death Details
Date of DeathFebruary 11, 1960
Age at Death71
Buried AtLake of the Woods Cemetery, Kenora, Ontario
Plot22E-11-4

Kinney, Joseph Jerry

Joseph Jerry Kinney, son of Joseph Kinney and Lea Villeneuve, was born on 26 April 1889 and baptized the next day at St. Gabriel R.C. Church in Bouchette Quebec. Shortly after Joseph’s birth, the family moved to Keewatin Ontario where his father went to work in the Mather’s lumber mill.     On the 1891 census of Keewatin, Joseph age 2, his two older sisters and his parents are shown.   The 1901 Keewatin Ontario census shows Joseph’s date of birth as 26 April 1889.   Joseph grew up in a large family having two sisters, and four brothers.   By 1911 Joseph moved away from Kenora.   He has not yet been found on the 1911 or 1921 census records. Joseph, and his brothers Frank and Thomas James saw service in WW1.

On 12 September 1918, Joseph’s attestation papers show him using the name Jerry and his date of birth as 6 April 1883.   He says he was born in Quebec, Quebec and was currently living in Courtney, BC.   His medical exam was done in Nanaimo, BC.   The next of kin is correctly shown as his sister Mrs. Mary Long in Kenora, Ontario and she is to be bequeathed his personal estate according to the will in his service record. Jerry signed the attestation form.   On the form, he is described as having a large scar on the top of his head.   He was enlisted with the 2nd Depot Battalion CEF of the British Columbia Regiment.   He boarded the SS City of Cairo destined for England.

By 11 October 1918, Jerry had landed in England and was placed in the Canadian War Hospital in Newton Abbot suffering from serious influenza.   His condition was downgraded to dangerously ill by the 15th of October.   On November 8th he was moved to the War Hospital in Epsom.   In total he was hospitalized for 29 days finally being discharged on the 20 November 1918.   He served in France with the CWGD (Canadian War Graves Detachment).   He received the War Service Badge Class A for his service.   His service record shows that 24 May 1919 Jerry arrived in France to serve with the CWGD.   By 06 July 1919, he was at Witley (England).   He sailed on the SS Saturnia from Glasgow on 25 July 1919 and arrived in Montreal on 04 August 1919.   Jerry’s date of discharge at Vancouver BC for demobilization was 11 August 1919.   He proposed to reside after discharge at General Post Office Victoria but his pay slip at discharge had a change of address to Jerry Kinney, Hall Siding, B.C.

Jerry married Mildred Foster Boyce, a widow on 11 June 1924 in St. Alban’s Church, Ashcroft BC.   He gave his name as Joseph J. but claimed to be born in Kenora, Ontario. Many details on the registration form are incorrect although he claims he can read and write.   He gave his age as 40 perhaps to appear closer in age to his bride who was 44.   He was actually 35, a labourer and living in Sicamos BC.   By 1935, the couple was living in Cranbrook BC and Joseph Jerry was still a labourer.   Another voters list for the same year records him as a bushman.   On 18 May 1954, Mildred Kinney died.   Joseph Jerry Kinney was the informant and he gave his address as 917 Main Street, Vancouver BC.   After Mildred’s death, Joseph returned to Kenora, Ontario and lived with his nephew Bob Long (son of Mary Kinney Long) at the family home on the Airport Road.

Joe passed away on 11 February 1960 and is buried in the Lake of the Woods Cemetery, Kenora Ontario.

By Rhonda Glofcheski (Joe’s great grand niece)

Kinney-Joseph-Jerry-2 Kinney-Joseph-Jerry-3


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