| Personal Details | |
| Date of Birth | February 8, 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Kenora, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Next of Kin | Olof Martinson (Father) Kenora, Ontario |
| Trade / Calling | Labourer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Service Details | |
| Regimental Number | 439102 |
| Service Record | Link to Service Record |
| Battalion | 52nd Battalion |
| Force | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Branch | Canadian Infantry |
| Enlisted / Conscripted | Enlisted |
| Address at Enlistment | Kenora, Ontario |
| Date of Enlistment | February 23, 1915 |
| Age at Enlistment | 17 |
| Theatre of Service | Europe |
| Prisoner of War | No |
| Survived War | Yes |
| Death Details | |
| Date of Death | June 13, 1966 |
| Age at Death | 68 |
| Buried At | St. Johns Cathedral, Winnipeg, Manitoba |
Martinson, Arthur
Arthur Walter Martinson was born on 08 February 1898 in Rat Portage (Kenora), Ontario. His parents, Olof and Emelia Martinson had immigrated to the area in 1888. The 1891 census indicates that Olof was a railroad labourer. Emelia died in 1909. The 1911 census reports Olof working as a farmer in the rural area Jaffray near Kenora. With him are children: Isa (b. 1894), Eva (b. 1896), Arthur (b. 1898), Lilian (b, 1900), Edward (b. 1902), John (b. 1904) and Emile (b. 1907). Daughter, Clara Marie (1892-1971) had married James Daniel Munns in 1908. In 1913, Olof married Sally Johnson.
On 23 February 1915, Arthur enlisted with the 52nd Battalion for overseas service in WW1. He signed his attestation papers in Kenora and went to Port Arthur in June 1915 for training. His unit arrived in England in December of 1915 and was sent to France by February 1916. Three months later Arthur was wounded at Ypres receiving a gunshot wound to his left thigh on 17 May. He was transported to hospital in Boulogne and then Camberwell, England. On 28 September 1916 he was discharged from a Convalescent Hospital in Bromley having recovered from his wounds. Arthur returned to France in January of 1917 and arrived at his unit for duty on 08 March. He served in France until March of 1919 with the exception of two leaves back to the UK in January and December of 1918. Arthur married Ida Rhoda Wise in the first quarter of 1919. He was discharged from the army on 09 April 1919 in England and lived there for two years. During this time his son, John, was born.
In April 1921 Arthur, Ida and John returned to Canada aboard the S.S.Vedic and settled in Kenora. For the 1921 census they were living in the North Ward of Kenora and Arthur was employed as a labourer with Backus Brooks. Daughter, Pearl Gloria, was born in 1922 and son, Edward Arthur in 1923.
Arthur was a member of St. Alban’s Pro Cathedral and a charter member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Kenora. He worked as a custodian at the Kenora High School from 1944-1964.
Arthur Walter Martinson passed away on 13 June 1966 in Kenora. He was cremated and buried at St. John’s Cathedral in Winnipeg. His son, John (1919-2013), served in WW2 with the PPCLI and became Reverend Canon John Martinson of the Anglican church. Daughter, Pearl(1922-2010), married Bill Kozie and lived in Calgary. Son Edward, ‘Ted’ (1923-2007) married Jennie Oldford and lived in Kenora. Arthur’s wife, Ida died in 1999.
Arthur is commemorated on the St. Alban’s Pro-Cathedral First World War Roll of Honour.
