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These are the stories of Kenora participants in the First World War.
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Leo Charles Degagne was born on 06 March 1897 in Rat Portage (now Kenora), Ontario. His parents were Pierre George Degagne and Florida Charron. Siblings included: George (1893-1970), Emile (1894-1953), Joseph (1896-1966), Maria (1899-1899), Albert (1901-1901), Ida (1902-1903), Flora (b. 1904) and Clovis (1906-1915). The 1911 census showed the family living in the neighboring town… Read More »
Robert Paterson Morton was born on 1 May 1891 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His father William was from Lesmahagow while his mother Helen (née Paterson) was from Tollcross, both in Lanarkshire. The couple had married in 1872 in Cadder. An engine fitter by trade, William and Helen moved to nearby Glasgow soon after their marriage… Read More »
On 17 November 1917 the Kenora Miner and News published the results of a letter that Mrs Towns received from her son Sirastin from overseas. Mentioned in the article was A Christenson as a Kenora boy at the front but his identity and service could not be confirmed.
Corporal Lewis Thomas Turner was 41 years old, married and the father of three children when he enlisted in December 1915. He served overseas in England and France for almost three years, returning to Canada in May 1919. Lewis was the son of John William and Annie Turner of the Isle of Man, a self-governing… Read More »
Private Gustave Adolph Johnson was called up under the Military Service Act in May 1918 and served overseas for a year. He returned to Canada in July 1919. Gustave was the oldest son of Andrew Gustave and Alena/Alina Johnson of the township of Pellatt in northwestern Ontario. Andrew was born in Sweden, possibly in Stockham,… Read More »
Acting Corporal Percy Clarence Bays was a divinity student when he enlisted in November 1915. He served in Great Britain for more than three years and returned to Canada in August 1919. Percy was the son of Charles Bays and Mary Ann Newton. Charles and Mary were both born in England, Charles in Manchester and… Read More »
Private Mervin Elias Thomas enlisted in October 1916, at age 16, and served in France and Belgium with the 52nd Battalion. He returned to Canada in March 1919. Mervin was the only son of Samuel Albert Thomas and Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Sullivan of Toronto, Ontario. Samuel was born in East Flamborough Township, Wentworth County, Ontario and… Read More »
Rifleman Ernest Bissette was called up in September 1918, at age 31. He served for nine months in Canada and Siberia, returning home in June 1919. Ernest Bissette (Bessette) was the son of Narcisse Bessette and Rosina St. Denis of Chapeau, Allumettes Island, Quebec. Narcisse and Rosina were married in 1870 and over the next… Read More »
Adolphus Henry Begg was born on 17 April 1891 in the Rat Portage, Ontario (later named Kenora) area. His parents were John and Juliette (Sturgeon) Begg. The son of Charles Begg, a Hudson Bay Company employee that had immigrated from Favel, Sandwick, Orkney, Scotland in 1831 and married a Metis woman, Catherine Spence, Adolphus’ father… Read More »
James Fisher was born on 9 December 1890 in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. His parents were William Fisher and Elizabeth Armour. Siblings included: John, William, Charles, Mary, Janet, Elizabeth, Alexander, David, Isabel and Agnes. James immigrated to Canada in 1909 and married Mary Weir on 22 October 1913 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Daughter Margaret was born in… Read More »
