Kenora Great War Project

 

Personal Details
Date of BirthJuly 21, 1898
Place of BirthKenora, Ontario
CountryCanada
Marital StatusSingle
Trade / CallingWiper
ReligionAnglican
Service Details
Regimental NumberVR-2678
Service Recordsee images below
BattalionNiobe, Pembroke, Wallington, Vivid III, Strathbrie and Cormorant
ForceNavy
BranchRoyal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
Enlisted / ConscriptedEnlisted
Date of EnlistmentOctober 30, 1916
Age at Enlistment18
Theatre of ServiceGreat Britain
Prisoner of WarNo
Survived WarYes
Death Details
Date of DeathJanuary 1, 1967
Age at Death68
Buried AtLake of the Woods Cemetery, Kenora, Ontario
Plot10E-6-1

Marchant, Wilfred

John Marchant and sons Wilfred (back) and Albert.

Wilfred (also called Milfred) Marchant was born on 28 July 1898 in Rat Portage (Kenora), Ontario.  His parents were John and Alice Marchant. Siblings included: Alfred (1897-1961), Jack (b. 1899), Alice (1901-1961), Arthur (b. 1902) and Gordon (b. 1904). Wilfred was educated in Kenora and entered services with the Canadian Pacific Railway as a wiper on 13 August 1916.

On 26 September 1916 Wilfred and his brother Albert were the first lads from Kenora to enlist in the navy with the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve. Their service numbers were VR-2678 and VR-2679. Wilfred served aboard six different ships: Niobe, Pembroke, Wallington, Vivid III, Strathbrie and Cormorant. Articles in the the local newspaper, the Miner & News, followed his naval career. On the 23 December 1916 he was reported to be with the Royal Navy in England.  In the 07 March 1917 edition Wilfred was said to be with the North Sea fleet. His father died in August of 1918. Wilfred received his discharge from the Navy in September of 1919 in Halifax.

Wilfred returned to Kenora and the 1921 Canadian Census shows him living with his mother and brothers at 504 4th St. North and working as a labourer.

On 29 January 1925 Wilfred married Annie Manns. His occupation at this time was fireman on the CPR. Annie and Wilfred had two sons: Harold W. (1925-2001) and Robert. Wilfred served with the Canadian Veteran Guards in WW2. He was promoted to Car Inspector with the CPR in August of 1950. Wilfred retired on 01 June 1963. He was a member of St. Alban’s Church, the Kenora Legion and the I.O.O.F.

Wilfred went to Pinecrest Home for the Aged in July of 1966. He passed away the following year on January 1st. Wilfred is buried in Lake of the Woods Cemetery, Kenora. His wife, Annie, died in 1991 and is interred beside him.

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