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These are the stories of Kenora participants in the First World War.
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Introduction: On April 2, 1919, the Kenora Miner and News reported on a celebratory evening honouring close to two hundred local men who had served in – and returned from – the Great War. One of those on the list was Rev. Fr. Lizzett, a name that was not recognized. After researching different variations of… Read More »
According to his Alberta death record, Duncan Bruce MacKenzie was born on 5 July 1890 in Dinorwic, Ontario. A birth record was not found. His father John Duncan MacKenzie, a long time Hudson Bay Company employee in northwestern Ontario, was from the Fort Frances area, John’s father James also employed by the HBC. Duncan’s mother… Read More »
Private Frank Lalonde was a widower with four young children when he enlisted in December 1915 at age 42. He served for three years in Canada, the UK and France. Frank was born on 24 January 1873 on Allumette Island in Pontiac County, Quebec. He was baptized two months later in the mission church at… Read More »
Gordon Douglas Caslake was born on 27 December 1897 in Rat Portage (later renamed Kenora) in northwestern Ontario. His parents were George and Rachel (née Coupland) Caslake who had married in London, Ontario in 1884. The couple settled in St Mary’s, Ontario, Rachel’s home town, where George worked as a butcher. George and Rachel gave… Read More »
When the First World War started aircraft technology was relatively new and airplanes were used mainly for observation. Major advancements were made over the next four years but flying was still dangerous and more pilots were killed and injured during training and reconnaissance than in combat. Second Lieutenant Herbert Cubley Rochester joined the Royal Flying… Read More »
Gunner Allan Nelson Hansen enlisted in 1916 and spent two years overseas with the Canadian Field Artillery. Three of his brothers also served in the war. Allan was the son of Nils (Nels) Julius Hansen and his wife Ellen Nilson. Nils and Ellen both immigrated to Canada in the 1880s, Nils from Norway and Ellen… Read More »
Private Russell Gordon Eady enlisted in October 1917, at age 20, and served with the 21st Battalion in the last months of the war. He returned to Canada in May 1919. Russell was born on 5 July 1897 in Foresters Falls, Ross Township, Renfrew County, Ontario. His mother, Elizabeth Eady, was the oldest daughter in… Read More »
Private Richard Franklin Sexsmith and his brother Mark Sexsmith arrived in France in September 1917. They were both killed in action a month later at the Battle of Passchendaele, while serving with the 52nd Battalion. Richard was son of Joseph Sexsmith and Emily Georgina Orr of Faraday Township, Hastings County, Ontario. Joseph and Emily were… Read More »
Private John Arthur Presley was born in Clarence Creek, Russell County, Ontario. His parents were Joseph Presley, a farmer, and Jane Conn. Joseph and Jane were both Irish and born in the Clarence Creek area. John grew up there and he was one of at least ten children. At some point he moved west and… Read More »
