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Hagen, Olaf Marius
Regimental Number: 3210722
Rank: Private
Branch: 21st Reserve Battalion
Olaf was born in Red Lake County, Minnesota on September 21, 1896. He filed on a homestead at 5-75-8-W6, near La Glace. When Olaf was drafted in May of 1918, he was living in Tofield, Alberta. He died of pneumonia on August 22, 1918 at the Connaught Military Hospital, one week after arriving in England.
Sources: homestead records; La Glace p. 186
Hall, Arthur Thomas
Regimental Number: 2683766
Rank: Private
Branch: Royal North West Mounted Police
Arthur was born in Markham, Ontario on February 14, 1889 (1883?). Prior to the war, he served in the Royal North West Mounted Police. In April of 1918 Arthur enlisted in the Canadian army; in October, in the last weeks of the war, he arrived at the front lines in France. After being discharged, he returned to Canada and searched for a homestead in the South Peace, eventually settling near the forks of the Red Willow and the Wapiti. When World War II broke out, Arthur joined the Veterans Guard of Canada and worked in various prison camps. Arthur died on October 9, 1954.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 404; see HT Oct. 14 & 21, 1954; RCMPGraves.com
Hall, Edward
Regimental Number: 63427
Rank: Private
Branch: 15th Battalion
Edward was born in Lancaster, England on September 8, 1884, but immigrated to Canada before the war. After his discharge, he settled near Goodfare (20-72-12-W6). Though the exact date of his death is uncertain, Edward died on or before February 5, 1950. He had been living alone and when he'd not been seen for a few days, his neighbor, Alf Wilkie, went to check on him and found him dead, sitting at his table.
Source: Pioneer Round-Up p. 95, Homestead Record
Hall, Joseph C.
Regimental Number: 466589
Rank: Private
Branch: 63rd Battalion; 10th Battalion
Joseph was born in Castleside, Durham, England on August 20, 1896. By the time of his enlistment in July of 1915, he had immigrated to Alberta (his homestead may have been located at 14-33-5-W5). Joseph was wounded twice - on October 12, 1916 at the Somme, he received shrapnel wounds to his left thigh and right foot, and in September of 1918 he received a gunshot wound to his right arm. According to his military service file, his address in 1922 was in Sawridge, Alberta. Joseph died on February 10, 1955.
Hall, William Alfred
Regimental Number: 2115371
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Army Service Corps; 50th Battalion
William was born in London, England on December 18, 1892. He came to Canada in 1913 to visit his aunt in Nova Scotia, and gradually worked his way west to the Peace River country in Alberta. William enlisted in the Canadian army in June of 1917. In August of 1918, he received a gunshot wound to his right arm. William came back to Alberta and homesteaded in Bezanson (SW 32-71-2-W6 and NE 19-71-2-W6). He lived there until his death on June 21, 1952.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 12; see HT July 10, 1952
Halstead, W. C.
Regimental Number:
Hamilton, Gerald
Regimental Number:
Hamilton, Gordon
Homesteads: 32-72-5-W6, 31-72-5-W6, 30-72-5-W6
Sources: Buffalo Trails, p. 261 (photo); Pioneers of the Peace p. 102
Hammond, C.
Regimental Number:
Hanna, Errol Edward
Regimental Number: 1251123
Rank: Gunner
Branch: 78th Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
Errol was born in Belfountain, Ontario on December 16, 1897. When he enlisted in November of 1916, Errol and his mother were living in Spirit River; Errol's homesteads were located at 35-75-3-W6 and 9-78-5-W6. In February of 1923, Errol was charged with the murder of George Murray, but he was acquitted in June of that year.
Hannigan, D.
Regimental Number:
Hannigan, William Paul
Regimental Number: 101381
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
William was born in Nashua, Iowa on June 1, 1876. He enlisted in Grande Prairie on September 21, 1915. On October 10, 1916, just four months after arriving in France, William died at the Casualty Clearing Station Special Hospital in Warloy-Baillon, France. He had been wounded in the legs on the German wire and bound up his own wounds and those of two other soldiers. According to Col. Griesbach's battle report, "German bombers endeavored to bomb the shell hole... he caught the German bombs in his hands and threw them away... he crawled away from his shell hole and was again bombed; endeavoring to catch and throw these latter bombs away, one of them exploded in his hands..." Col. Griesbach gives further details of Hannigan's injuries and journey to the Field Ambulance where he died of his wounds (see link below).
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Photograph (1914)
- Enlists (Oct. 5, 1915)
- Mention in Merlin Rae's letter (Oct. 24, 1916)
- Letter (November 1, 1916)
- Letter (November 7, 1916)
- Mention of death in Jim McDonald's letter (Feb. 13, 1917)
- Mention of death Matheson's letter (May 1, 1917)
- Battle Report by Col. Griesbach (Edmonton Journal)
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Hansen, Svend
Regimental Number: 489678
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion; 9th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
Sven was born in Amicivej, Copenhagen, Denmark on June 1, 1874. Prior to enlisting in the Canadian army January of 1916, he served in the Danish army. Sven sprained his right knee in August of 1916. According to his service file, he was living in Prince George in 1923. Sven died in Vancouver on May 4, 1964.
Sources: Grooming the Grizzly, p. 225 (photograph in Danish uniform)
Harbottle, Allen Reginald
Regimental Number: 925550
Rank: Private
Branch: 5th Battalion
Allen was born in Carievale, Saskatchewan on September 18, 1891. He came to Happy Valley in 1929 and homesteaded at SW 18-78-8-W6. As well as serving in the First World War, Allen also joined up for the Second World War and was stationed at Suffield, Alberta in the British Block as a guard.
Source: Chepi Sepe p. 515
Harper, Charles Sydney
Regimental Number: 101552
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Charles was born in London, England on September 27, 1881. He was quite young when he arrived in Canada, as RNWMP records indicate that he joined the force in 1900. In 1913 he was transferred to Lake Saskatoon. At some point, Charles filed on a homestead at 22-74-7-W6. Two years later, in November of 1915, he went to Edmonton and enlisted in the Canadian army. Only six weeks after arriving in France (October 1916), Charles was suffering from varicose veins, for which he had already had surgery in 1907. He could not march, but it was recommended by the doctor that he be put to work with the horses "as he states that he has a certain amount of veterinary knowledge." Charles claimed he was not bothered by his condition and wanted to return to France, but neither he nor the doctor got their wish. He was stationed in England until his discharge; his leg operated on again in July of 1917; and he was finally discharged on September 27, 1917. According to his medical record, Charles stated that he had been shot in collarbone (right side) by an escaped prisoner in 1897. After returning to Canada, he rejoined the RNWMP. Charles died while stationed in Whitehorse on December 11, 1922.
Sources: Grande Prairie Capitol of the Peace p. 54-57; Pioneers of the Peace p. 408-409; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 31, 35; RCMPGraves.com
Harper, Robert Lester
Regimental Number: 811729
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: 138th Battalion; 28th Battalion; 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion
Robert was born on February 1, 1892 in Reston, Manitoba. He came over the Edson Trail in 1914 with his father, Alfred Wesley Harper, and two brothers, Wesley and Wilbur. They settled in the Pouce Coupe area. Robert enlisted in January of 1916, leaving behind his wife, Mabel Lillian, and their young child. On October 8, 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry and distinguished service in the field. Robert died in Pouce Coupe in 1987.
Source: Edson To Grande Prairie Trail p. 192
Harper, Wesley
Regimental Number: 101206
Rank: Acting Sergeant
Branch: 49th Battalion; 4th Labour Battalion
Wesley was born in Reston, Manitoba on April 13, 1896. He came over the Edson Trail in 1914 with his father, Alfred Wesley Harper, and two brothers, Robert Lester and Wilbur. The men settled in the Pouce Coupe area. Wesley enlisted in September of 1915. In September of 1916, three months after he got to France, he received shrapnel wounds to his back, left arm, and legs at the Somme, near Courcelette.
Source: Edson To Grande Prairie Trail p. 192
Harrigan, Tommy
Regimental Number:
Harrington, David Blain
Regimental Number: 1006405
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 6th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
David was born in Ancaster, Ontario on December 6, 1890. He and his brother Joseph both served in the Canadian army during World War I. After his discharge in 1919, David came to the South Peace and filed on homesteads at 26-70-25-W5 and 25-70-25-W5 in the Sturgeon Heights area. In 1925, he married Nellie Crotty; they had one son named Willie. David worked as a fire ranger during the summers from 1924 until 1944. In 1933, he donated the land on which the Sturgeon Heights school was built. Dave died on October 19, 1944.
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew p. 303; Across the Smoky p. 28, 29
Harrington, Joseph Leslie
Regimental Number: 207470
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 4th/5th Pioneer Battalion; 2nd Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
Joseph was born in Ancaster, Ontario on July 22, 1892. He and his brother David both served in the Canadian army during World War I. Joseph injured his hip, left thigh, abdomen, and left ankle in September of 1917 while riding on a rail car loaded with steel. It collided with a tractor, and the tractor did not give enough clearance for the overhang of steel. Joseph came to the South Peace in 1919 and filed on homesteads at 24-70-25-W5 and 25-70-25-W5, in the Sturgeon Heights area. He died in January of 1974.
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew p. 303; Across the Smoky p. 28, 29
Harrington, Lawrence Gladwyn "Glady"
Regimental Number: 155102
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 1st Pioneer Battalion; 9th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
Lawrence was born in Lindsay, Ontario on December 3, 1893. He had come to the Peace Country before the start of the war, and returned to his homestead in 1919 after his discharge. His homesteads were located at 8-79-5-W6 and 32-78-5-W6. Lawrence married Eva Fitton a short time later; they had no children. He worked as a lineman for the government telegraph and helped to put in all the telegraph lines in the Peace River country. About 1930 Lawrence was moved north to Keg River where he worked as a government agent for the telegraph, telephone, and postal services until he died in 1975.
Sources: Chepi-Sepe p. 470
Harris, Bill
came in 1919
S 1/2 27-76-21-W5
died in 1945
possibly from Ontario?
Source: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 330
Harris, Charles Edward
Regimental Number: 3213065
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion
Charles was born in Missouri on March 24, 1896. He came to the Clairmont area with his parents in 1911. Charles was drafted in the summer of 1918 and although he shipped overseas, he remained in England and never saw action at the front lines in France. After the war, he settled in the Kleskun Lake district (23-72-5-W6 and 2-73-5-W6). On June 27, 1923 Charles married Clara Lee Turner. He died in March of 1975.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 166
Harrison, Reverend H. W. L.
Reverend Harrison was a bachelor who had suffered from shell shock in World War I; he came to Grande Prairie from Montreal in May of 1932 to take charge of the Anglican church in the area west of Lake Saskatoon. He resigned in May of 1934 and returned to England.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 101
Harvey, Ernest
Regimental Number:
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 146; The Big Horn School District, section histories; La Glace Yesterday and Today p. 158, 162, 313
Notes: 11-73-8-W6 & 10-73-8-W6
Harvey, Frank
Regimental Number: 101539
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Frank was born in Nottingham, England on December 5, 1881. He filed on a homestead at 15-73-8-W6, across the road from his brother Ernest. On July 14, 1916, a month after arriving at the front lines, Frank was killed in action. He was buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, a mile southeast of Ypres.
Sources: La Glace Yesterday and Today, p. 152, 162, & 313; Pioneers of the Peace p. 100; The Big Horn School District, section histories
Harvey, George
Regimental Number: 432666
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
George was born in Hudson's Hope, BC on July 7, 1889. He had a homestead at 20-80-4-W6, near that of his brother Roland, who was also a veteran of the war. George enlisted in the Canadian army in January of 1915. He suffered from many ailments during the war - trench fever in May of 1916, gunshot wounds to his left leg and left eye in October of 1916, and rheumatic fever in July of 1917 at the Somme. George's left eye had to be removed, and he also suffered from defective vision in his right eye. In November of 1917 he was invalided to Canada, and while staying in a convalescent home in Calgary, George was diagnosed with "arrested tuberculosis." He was discharged from the army in March of 1918. George died on September 19, 1954 in Enilda, Alberta.
Harvey, Roland Hunter
Regimental Number: 18508
Rank: Private
Branch: 9th Battalion; Canadian Army Veterinary Corps; 1st Battalion; Canadian Signal Corps
Roland was born on December 24, 1890 in Grouard, Alberta. He traveled to Valcartier to enlist in September of 1914, at the very beginning of the war. Roland had a homestead at 28-80-4-W6, near that of his brother George, also a veteran of World War I.
Sources: Lake Saskatoon Reflection p. 73
Hastings, Charles John
Regimental Number: 1048168
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 242nd Battalion, Canadian Forestry Corps; 19th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps
Charles was born in York County, Ontario on January 4, 1872. He worked as a miner as a young man and one of his legs was shorter than the other, due to a mining accident in 1903. Charles came over the Edson Trail in 1914 and filed on a homestead in the Sexsmith area (SW6-74-4-W6). He returned to his homestead after the war and eventually purchased a second piece of land at 15-74-3-W6. Charles died in 1924.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 190, 1147
Hawkes, ?
Regimental Number:
(spelled "Hocks" on Honour Roll, but assumed to be a misspelling as there are no soldiers with that surname on LAC)
Hawkesworth, Murray Randolph
Regimental Number: 506008
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 4th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Murray was born on January 30, 1893 in Nova Scotia. He came out west to farm with his brother before the war, filing on a homestead at NE 16-73-11-W6, which he later abandoned for SE 26-73-11-W6. In 1916, Murray and his brother Aubrey went to enlist in the army but Aubrey was turned away because of an old hip injury. Murray did not return to Alberta after the war but settled in Nova Scotia instead. He died in 1963.
Haworth, John "Jack"
Branch: British Army
John was born in Blackburn, England on January 4, 1891. He joined the British army in 1914 and served in France until he was wounded in action in 1916. On October 10, 1925, John married Florence Elizabeth Large. Shortly after their marriage, they came to Canada and settled in the Peace River area in 1926. John purchased a quarter section at SW 31-71-2-W6. He died on July 20, 1976 and was buried in the Glen Leslie Cemetery.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 13
Head, Henry Jack
Regimental Number: 436764
Rank: Private
Branch: 7th Battalion
Henry was born in Cranborne, Dorset, England on November 16, 1893. He enlisted in Edmonton in February of 1915. In September of 1916, Henry fell into shell hole in France and was run over by a cart; he was not injured too seriously, having sunk down into the mud, but was still sent back to England for a short time. On August 15, 1917, at Hill 70 in France, Henry received a gunshot wound and compound fracture to his left hip and thigh. It took many operations to remove all the bone fragments and and he spent the remainder of the war in hospitals. Henry lost proper function of his hip, and his left leg was 1.25 inches shorter than the right. He was invalided to Canada in September of 1918. Henry came to Teepee Creek in 1919 and filed on a homestead at 13-74-4-W6. He sold out and moved to Galiano Island in British Columbia, and died on July 29, 1968 in Kelowna.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 283, 1147
Healey, Patrick
Regimental Number: 2137659
Rank: Private
Branch: 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment
Patrick was born in Crookstown, Cork, Ireland on August 16, 1883. He settled in the Sexsmith area around 1915 and filed on homesteads at NW 32 (31)-73-4-W6 and 8-74-3-W6. Patrick was drafted at the end of 1917 and served only in England. He was discharged as being medically unfit (abscess of lung) in January of 1920. Patrick married Katie Hopkins later in life. In 1940, he sold his farm and moved to Vancouver, where he died in 1945.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 190, 284, 1147; Buffalo Trails, p. 261
Hebert, Harvey
Regimental Number: 4100499
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Harvey was born in La Broquerie, Manitoba on January 3, 1895. He arrived in the Peace country in 1914 and filed on homesteads at NE 12-78-21-W5 and 13-78-21-W5. Harvey was drafted in March of 1918, but defaulted and was brought to Edmonton by the police in April. He deserted again a few weeks later. Harvey never served in the army or returned to the Peace country, and what became of him was never discovered.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 330
Heller, Edward Joseph
Regimental Number: 101094
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: 49th Battalion
Ed was born in Logan, Iowa on February 10, 1889. He came to Canada in 1913 and settled in the South Peace in 1914. Ed's homesteads were located at 23-71-10-W6 and 22-71-10-W6. In July of 1915 he enlisted in the Canadian army. Ed received a gunshot wound to his left leg on October 30, 1917 while serving in Belgium, and to his right leg in 1918. He was discharged on February 17, 1919 and returned to his homestead. On October 8, 1920, Ed married Laura Davis. Because of Ed's injuries, they rented out their farm in 1926 and moved to White Rock. However, they returned in 1930 and resumed farming. Ed and Laura had four children. During World War II, he spent two years serving in the Veterans Guard. Ed died in March of 1988.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 280-283; Edson to Grande Prairie Trail p.186; Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 56-58
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Photograph (1914)
- Enlists (July 27, 1915)
- WW1 Trench photograph (1916)
- WW1 photograph (1916)
- Wedding (Nov. 2, 1920)
- Photograph (1916)
- Biography (1934)
- Golden Wedding Anniversary article (ca. October 1970)
- Boys Who Went Overseas
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Edward Heller fonds
- Marion Hill fonds
- World War I Memoirs
Henderson, Alex
Regimental Number:
Branch: 66th Battalion
Place of Birth: Grande Prairie
Henderson, Arthur Cotter
Regimental Number: 89882; 629577
Rank: Private
Branch: 47th Battalion
Arthur was born in Lytton, BC on January 26, 1883. He owned a homestead at 14-70-9-W6, near the Wapiti River. At the time of his enlistment in August of 1915, Arthur was married to Elizabeth Margaret West and they had a son named John. They lived in North Vancouver. Arthur's brothers Francis, Harold, and John also served during World War I. Arthur was killed in action at Courcelette on November 18, 1916 and was buried about 20 yards in front of Battle Headquarters, 10th Street Trench, Somme.
Sources: homestead records
Henderson, Carmen Clifford "Cliff"
Regimental Number: 3213927
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; Canadian Engineers
Cliff was born on June 21, 1889 in Wawanesa, Manitoba. He and his brother Ernie came up to the Peace country in spring of 1911. Cliff filed on SW 19-73-10-W6 in the Hythe area. He was drafted in July of 1918 and served with the Canadian army in Canada and England. Cliff returned to the South Peace after the war and, through the Soldier Settlement Act, was granted another quarter section at NE 8-73-11-W6. On May 2, 1934, Cliff married Josephine Gass. They lived on the farm until about 1970, then moved to Campbell River, BC to live nearer their children and grandchildren. Cliff died in Campbell River on July 18, 1988.
Sources: Fran Moore fonds (being processed); Pioneers of the Peace p. 236; Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 33
Henderson, Francis Hereward
Regimental Number: 446918
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Railway Troops
Francis was born in British Columbia on October 10, 1896. He filed on a homestead at NW 14-70-9-W6. Francis enlisted in Calgary in May of 1915; his brothers Arthur, Harold, and John served in the Canadian army as well. Francis appears to have served only in England. A possible explanation is that his feet were calloused and grew worse with service, possibly due to having been frostbitten nine years earlier. In July of 1918, Francis was given permission to marry Doris Hilda May. According to his service file, he was living in England in the early 1920s.
Sources: homestead records
Henderson, Harold Herne
Regimental Number: 75500
Rank: Private
Branch: 29th Battalion
Harold was born in Vancouver, BC on July 9, 1891. He filed on homesteads at 3-70-9-W6 and SE 23-70-9-W6 but it is uncertain at what time he may have lived here. Harold enlisted in Vancouver in November of 1914; he listed "surveyor" as his trade. His brothers Arthur, Francis, and John served in the Canadian army as well. In September of 1916, Harold received gunshot wounds to his back and left leg, but he recovered from these wounds. On November 6, 1917, Harold died of shrapnel wounds to the head at the No. 17 Casualty Clearing Station.
Sources: homestead records
Henderson, John Baptist (Jr.)
Regimental Number: 2020253
Rank: Private
Branch: 7th Battalion
John was born in Vancouver, BC on May 31, 1889. He filed on homesteads at 23-70-9-W6, 14-70-9-W6, and 3-70-9-W6, but gave Los Angeles as his present address when he enlisted in July of 1917. His brothers Arthur, Francis, and Harold also served during World War I. John was killed by an enemy sniper while operating a Lewis Gun near Damery on August 17, 1918.
Sources: homestead records
Henderson, Samuel
Regimental Number:
Rank: Comrade
awarded a military medal
Sources: The Big Bend, p. 255
Henley, F.
Regimental Number:
Henn, William
Regimental Number: 4100872
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; Canadian Forestry Corps
William was born in Bonnhein, Germany on October 27, 1891. When he was drafted in May of 1918, William was living in Lake Saskatoon (18-73-8-W6). He served only in Canada and England. In 1919, William married Sarah, a Scotswoman.
Sources: The Big Horn School District, section histories
Herbert, Charles William Alfred
Regimental Number: 466952
Rank: Private
Branch: 13th Battalion
Charles was born in Stratford, Essex, England on February 10, 1890. When he enlisted in July of 1915, he was living in Peace River. Charles was wounded several times during the course of his military career. He received a gunshot wound to his left buttock in September of 1916 at the Somme (this injury was reported in the Grande Prairie Herald); to his back in August of 1917 at Lens, in the Battle for Hill 70; and finally to his right forearm in September of 1918 at Cambrai. Charles died on December 12, 1958.
Hews, Donat
Regimental Number: 3213117
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Donat was born in Papineauville, Quebec on December 24, 1894. He filed on a homestead near Falher, at SW 28-77-21-W5. Donat was drafted in July of 1918 and served only in Canada. He died in April of 1976.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace, p. 331
Hick, Raymond Clarence
Regimental Number: 3206300
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Engineers
Raymond was born in Montreal, Quebec on June 17, 1893. He was farming in Spirit River (16-77-5-W6 and 0-78-5-W6) when he was drafted in January of 1918. Raymond served only in England.
Hie, George
Regimental Number: 703671
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: 211th Battalion; 8th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
George was born in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1878. He enlisted in Prince Rupert, BC in February of 1916, so it is assumed that he settled in the Peace country after the war (30-70-24-W5 and 36-70-25-W5). George died on November 9, 1954.
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew P. 303
Hiffernan, George Hawke
Regimental Number: 101471
Rank: Private
Branch: 8th Battalion
George was born in County Cork, Ireland on July 1, 1887. He came to the Peace country in 1914 to help put up telegraph line. George enlisted in Lake Saskatoon in October of 1915. He was wounded twice during the war; a gunshot wound to his left thigh in September of 1916 at the Somme, and once again to his left leg in May of 1917. George's leg was fractured when he was shot the second time, and after it had healed, his left leg was about 2.5 inches shorter than the right. In his discharge papers, George stated: "I may say I have never received reparation for my mother, whom I can honestly say needs the money. Otherwise I am quite satisfied with everything. I am my mother's sole support." George married an Englishwoman from Bristol, who came to Canada on the first ship carrying civilians to North America after the Armistice. He died on August 10, 1973 in Victoria.
Source: see HT March 6, 1956
Higginson, William Edgar
Regimental Number: 183917
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 102nd Battalion
William, or Ed, as he was known, was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on October 2, 1890. He enlisted in Red Deer in December of 1915. Ed became dangerously ill with pneumonia in December of 1916 and was in hospital until May of the following year. Sometime at the end of 1918 or beginning of 1919, Ed married Ethel Hilda May Hallebane, an Englishwoman from Sussex. The couple came to the Peace Country after the war and filed on a homestead at NE 24-74-6-W6 He later purchased NW 12-74-6-W6 as well. Around 1968 or 1969, Ed and Ethel moved to Merritt, BC, where Ed died on August 24, 1970.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147; Buffalo Trails p. 98
Hill, Frederick John
Regimental Number: 70199
Rank: Private
Branch: 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Frederick was born around 1889. He served in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers during World War I. He died on November 27, 1975 at the age of 86 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Hill, James
Regimental Number: 101367
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
James was born in Texas on June 23, 1875. He was living in the South Peace when the war began (his homesteads were located at SE31-71-7-W6 and 31-71-5-W6) and enlisted in the army in September of 1915. James's brother was killed in action.
In February of 1919, James was taken of a troop train headed westward across Canada because he had the mumps. When he arrived in Edmonton in March, James fell on a sidewalk and fractured his right wrist. He died on January 13, 1974.
Sources: Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 254; Pioneers of the Peace p. 154
Hill, John David
Regimental Number: 781357
Rank: Private
Branch: 128th Battalion
David was born in Tobermory, Ontario on August 13, 1888. He enlisted in December of 1915, but was discharged just months later in March of 1916 for being medically unfit (he had a weak right leg). David and his wife Evelyn Annie came to the Bad Heart area in 1919 and settled on the eastern half of section 30 (30-75-2-W6). His younger brother Thomas also enlisted in the Canadian army.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 40, 1147
Hill, Joseph
Regimental Number:
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Date of Birth: 1878 Place of Birth: London, England
Sources: Cemetery Records; see HT March 30, 1956
Hill, Thomas Alexander
Regimental Number: 651929
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Thomas was born in Wiarton, Ontario on July 31, 1900 (he lied about his age on his attestation paper and wrote 1897). His older brother John David Hill came to the Bad Heart area after the war, and in 1928, Tom came to join him and filed on homesteads at 30-75-2-W6 and 19-75-2-W6. He returned to Ontario in 1929 and married Rea Brown; they returned together in spring of 1930 and raised a family of three children. In 1963, Tom and Rea retired to White Rock, BC, where Tom died in July of 1974 at the age of 73.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 40, 1147
Hilliard, Theodore
Regimental Number:
Rank:
Branch: 66th Battalion
Hillier, Sidney
Regimental Number: 101109
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Sidney was born in Southampton, England on February 17, 1887. He filed on a homestead at 5-71-8-W6 and enlisted in the Canadian army in July of 1915. Sidney arrived in France in June of 1916, and on October 3 of that year he was killed in action at Courcelette. There is no record of his burial, but he is listed on the Vimy Memorial.
Hills, Percy
Regimental Number:
Hilstead, Ole
Regimental Number:
Hinton, William Henry "Bill"
Regimental Number: 467389
Rank: Private
Branch: 7th Battalion
Bill was born in Norwich, England on April 1, 1894. According to his attestation paper, he was a musician, and he played in a Canadian orchestra during his time in the army.
Hockey, John Charles
Regimental Number: 3213066
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
John was born in Birmingham, England on May 2, 1896. He came to the South Peace as a young man and filed on a homestead at 25-71-7-W6. John was drafted in June of 1918. On November 10, 1924, he married Dora Clark. John died on November 11, 1951.
Source: see HT Nov. 15, 1951
Hodges, John Edward "Jack"
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Royal Engineers
John was born in England in 1882. During the war, he served in Egypt and Palestine; at one point he spent time in a hospital where Edith Hibbs was matron. In June of 1920, John married Ethel Hulme in London, England. John had traveled in Canada as a young man, so when hard times threatened Britain after the war, he brought his wife and their small daughters, Peggy and Irene, to Canada. They settled in the Flying Shot Lake area in 1926. John filed on a homestead at 21-70-7-W6. He died on September 18, 1953 and was buried in the Grande Prairie Cemetery.
Sources: Along the Wapiti p. 154; see biographical notes in surname files
Hodges, William George "Bill"
Regimental Number: 782362
Rank: Private
Branch: 128th Battalion; 28th Battalion
Bill was born in Hereford, England on December 23, 1889. He came to Canada in 1913 with Percy Stephens, though it wasn't until 1915 that they came to the Peace country and filed on homesteads in Beaverlodge (16-72-10-W6). Bill traveled to Moose Jaw to enlist in April of 1916. He was severely wounded at Passchendaele on November 6, 1917; he received shrapnel wounds to his left leg, left arm, and face. Bill was dangerously ill for a few months after this injury and on December 31, 1917, his leg was amputated. He was sent back to Canada in June of 1918. On August 30, 1920, Bill married Edith H. Stephens, whom he had met in London during the war when he went there to visit with Percy. Edith had come to Canada in 1919, after being discharged from the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. The couple farmed in the Beaverlodge area until 1948, when they retired and moved to Langley, BC. Bill died in Langley on December 9, 1955 and was buried in Albright.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 20; see HT December 20, 1955
Hodgins, Samuel Edward "Dean"
Regimental Number: 101240
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 8th Battalion
Dean Hodgins was born in Port Rowan, Ontario on May 1, 1894. At the time of his enlistment in September of 1915, he was living in Grande Prairie (his homesteads were located at 36-71-7-W6 and 31-71-6-W6). A letter from the front written by Private Keith in July of 1916 suggested that Dean had had "cold feet," though articles were published soon afterward to give the true story (see the attached news clippings). Shortly afterward, in September of 1916, Dean went missing in action, though this was not reported until March of 1917. It was later discovered that Dean had been killed during an attack on enemy trenches near Courcelette on September 26, 1916, just three months after arriving in France.
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Photograph (1912)
- Enlists (Sept. 7, 1915)
- Mention in Private Keith's letter (July 25, 1916)
- Never had cold feet (July 27, 1916)
- Apology regarding previous week's letter (Aug. 1, 1916)
- Mention in Archie Setter's letter (Feb. 20, 1917)
- Reported missing (March 6, 1917)
- Mention of death (May 22, 1917)
- Memorial service to be held (Sept. 11, 1917)
- Memorial Service (Sept. 18, 1917)
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
Hoet, Louis
Regimental Number: 811021
Rank: Private
Branch: 138th Battalion
Louis was born in Brussels, Belgium on July 19, 1884. He came to Donnelly in 1914 and filed on a homestead at SW 7-78-20-W5. Louis was married to Therese at the time of his enlistment in December 1915. He deserted within months of enlisting and did not return to Donnelly after the war.
Source: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 331
Hogan, James Philip
Regimental Number: 437615
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
James was born in London, Ontario on February 2, 1880. He enlisted in Edmonton in August of 1915. James received shrapnel wounds to his right leg, ears, and shoulder in September of 1917. In 1919, after being discharged from the army, James came to the Peace country and filed on a homestead at NW 4-76-21-W5. He never married, and died in Guy in 1929 (1927, according to his homestead record).
Source: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 331
Hoggarth, Miles Edwin
Regimental Number: 311995
Rank: Driver
Branch: 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, Canadian Field Artillery
Miles was born in Poplar Grove, Saskatchewan on November 9, 1892. At the time of his enlistment in January of 1916, he was farming in Whitewood, Saskatchewan. Miles was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1919. In 1923, Miles married Mary. They came to the Grande Prairie area in 1943 and in 1947 settled on SW 12-74-7-W6. Miles died on May 3, 1955 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 1147; Buffalo Trails p.142; see HT Aug. 5, 1954 & May 13, 1955
Hollingshead, David Edmund
Regimental Number: 3206317
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 49th Battalion
David was born in Listowel, Ontario on April 6, 1894. He came to Sexsmith as a young man and was farming there when he was drafted in 1918. David received a gunshot wound to the neck in October of 1918, but survived the war and returned to his farm in Sexsmith (26-73-6-W6 & 25-73-6-W6) in spring of 1919. David died on October 2, 1954.
Hollingworth, George Edison "Rusty"
Regimental Number: 14727
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: Fort Garry Horse; Corps of Military Police
George "Rusty" was born in Eckington, Derbyshire, England on August 17, 1890. In 1905 he came to Canada alone to join his brother in Winnipeg. He enlisted in the Canadian army in Valcartier in September of 1914. In September of 1915, Rusty felt foreign matter in right eye, he was unsure if it was dirt or piece of shell (the incident took place at Armentieres). He was sent to England in November and the doctor found that he had an ulcer caused by the presence of the foreign matter. Rusty spent a few months in hospital as a result and afterward served with military police in England. In 1919 Rusty filed on a homestead in the Teepee Creek area (7-74-3-W6 and 17-74-3-W6). A year later, in 1920, Rusty and his wife Gladys came by train to Sexsmith and settled on their homestead. Rusty was president of the Teepee Creek Stampede for a number of years, and in the 1940s trained 16 local girls who became known as the Teepee Creek Riding Girls. Rusty died on July 19, 1981.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147, 906, Buffalo Trails p. 261; see articles in surname files
Hollingworth, William
Regimental Number: 14720
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: Fort Garry Horse
William was born in Eckington, Derbyshire, England on April 25, 1875 (1876?). He served in both the Boer War and World War I. William was married to Charlotte Elizabeth when he enlisted in the Canadian army in September of 1914. They were living in Winnipeg at the time. After the war (possibly around 1920, with his brother George "Rusty" Hollingworth), William and Charlotte settled in the Teepee Creek area. Charlotte died in 1949, and William on September 12, 1956. He was buried in the Teepee Creek cemetery.
Sources: County of Grande Prairie Cemetery Records; see HT July 13 & Sept. 28, 1956
Holmberg, Edward Emmanuel
Regimental Number: 2140269
Rank: Private
Branch: 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment; 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion
Edward was born in Torpshammar, Sweden on October 20, 1890. When he was drafted in July of 1918, Edward was working as a miner in Dawson, Yukon Territory. Edward was sent overseas, but only served in England. As of 1935, he was living in Spirit River (8-79-4-W6)
Sources: Chepi-Sepe p. 182
Hook, Clifford Stanley
Regimental Number: 100680
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion
Clifford Stanley Hook was born in Somerset, England in 1884. Jessica Beatrice Williams was born in Weston-Super-Mare in 1887. Clifford and Jessica were married sometime before 1909. The Hooks and their young daughter immigrated to Canada in 1913. They stayed a while with Jessica’s brother in Regina before moving to Edmonton to find work. While in Edmonton, Clifford, a jeweler and watchmaker, was employed by G. F. Watcher for five years, as the expert in the repair department of Watcher’s jewelry business. A son, Herbert E. Hook (Ted) was born in 1914. Although Clifford tried to enlist during World War I, he was refused for medical reasons ("not likely to become an efficient soldier"). The Hook family moved to Grande Prairie when Clifford purchased the R. H. Watcher business in March 1918. When he formed a partnership with Mr. J. Leonard shortly thereafter, the business became known as Hook & Leonard. Realizing that the Peace country was in need of professional eye care, Clifford left Grande Prairie briefly and went to Ontario to attend the College of Optometry. His family remained in Grande Prairie during the period. Clifford graduated April 20, 1920 and returned to Grande Prairie, becoming the first Optometrist in the region. Upon his return he continued in the jewelry business and added an Optometry section.
In 1920, the Grande Prairie store burned down. Leonard decided to try farming north of Sexsmith while Clifford continued practicing optometry and opened a new store. In May 1926, C. S. Hook closed his Grande Prairie jewelry and watch repair shop and moved the business to Waterhole. At various times, Clifford also operated jewelry stores in other towns including Sexsmith and Wembley. He owned a homestead located at 8-74-8-W6. A second son, Robert Clifford Hook, was born on June 12, 1918 in Grande Prairie. A third son, Jack Edgar Hook, was born on November 5, 1926. After spending 15 years in Grande Prairie, Jessica Hook moved to Vancouver for medical reasons, taking her three sons with her. Clifford and Evelyn remained in Grande Prairie. Jessica died August 16, 1940 in Edmonton at the age of 53 and is buried in the Edmonton Cemetery. She had moved to Edmonton a year before her death. C. S. Hook died in Grande Prairie on December 16, 1966 at the age of 87 after falling and breaking his hip.
Sources: GP Cemetery; see newspaper database for more clippings
Hooks, Andrew
Regimental Number: 3208408
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Andrew was born in Lima, Ohio on December 17, 1896. In 1914, he came to Sexsmith with his father and five siblings. He was drafted in May of 1918 and never saw active duty in France. Andrew returned to his homestead (5-74-4-W6) after the war and brought his bride with him. He died in Lima, Ohio in January of 1974.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 191; Pioneers of the Peace p. 283
Hooper, William Wallace
Regimental Number: 67243
Rank: Private
Branch: 25th Battalion; 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company
William was born in Horton, Kings County, Nova Scotia on April 14, 1897. He was married to Annie and working as a miner at the time of his enlistment in November of 1914. William received a shrapnel wound to his left thigh in June of 1918, south of Arras. In 1923, he was living in Grande Prairie (6-71-6-W6). On August 7, 1936, William was found dead. Examination by Dr. O'Brien determined that he had died of heart seizure. William was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Horgan, Thomas
Regimental Number: 748220
Rank: Private
Branch: 117th Battalion; Canadian Army Service Corps; 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Thomas was born in London, England on January 7, 1898. He married an Englishwoman named Elizabeth in 1918 or 1919, while he was serving in the Canadian army overseas. Thomas and Elizabeth settled in the Sexsmith area in 1924 (24-74-4-W6 and 3-72-1-W6). They adopted a son while living in the area, but left when he was school age. Thomas died on March 9, 1965.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147, 1098
Horne, James
Regimental Number:
James filed on homesteads at 34-73-3-W6 and 33-73-3-W6. He died on November 29, 1918 and is listed on a monument in the Grande Prairie cemetery (?)
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147
Horning, Harold Henry "Red"
Regimental Number: 436989
Rank: Private
Branch: 51st Battalion; 46th Battalion
Harold was born in Toronto on October 7, 1890. He came to the Peace country as a young man and filed on homesteads at 16-72-4-W6 and 5-72-5-W6. Harold was married to Mary Ellen Horning, whose address was listed as Edmonton, Alberta on his attestation paper. On October 25, 1916, Harold was killed in action in the trenches north of Courcelette.
Hotton, Reginald
Regimental Number: 101227
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Reginald was born in La Malbaie, Quebec on June 21, 1891. He came to the Peace country before the war and settled on a homestead at 30-72-6-W6. Reginald died in Clairmont on April 29, 1972 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Howell, Joseph Rickson
Regimental Number: 1251211
Rank: Gunner
Branch: 4th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
Joseph was born in Paris, Ontario on November 16, 1886 (1888?). He came west to Alberta as a young man and enlisted in the Canadian army in Edmonton in April of 1917. After the war, in April of 1919, Joseph returned to Alberta and settled in the Dimsdale area (NW 14-71-7-6 and 32-71-26-W5). In June of 1920, he married Mary Dennis in Spirit River. In 1939, Joseph and Mary and their three children moved to Grovedale. Joseph lived in the Grovedale area until his death in 1975.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 199, 411
Hrychan, Dmytro "Matt"
Branch: Austrian Army
Matt was born November 1, 1897 in Sarni, Ukraine. At the age of 18, he joined the Austrian army as the Ukraine was under Austrian rule at that time. He served in Italy, then in the area between Russia and Rumania, and finally on the front lines during the 1918 revolution. Matt was captured by the Polish army and was a prisoner of war at Scholkova. In June of 1926, Matt arrived in Halifax. From there he came west and eventually settled in the Peace River area in 1930. Matt married Anne Solomiany in 1932. They had two daughters. In 1976 they sold their homestead and moved into Spirit River. Matt died on May 24, 1992.
Sources: The Big Bend, p. 151; Chepi Sepe p. 497
Hudson, Edgar
Regimental Number: 32582; 101364
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Edgar was born in Cottonwood County, Minnesota on July 10, 1892 (or July 12, 1891). He first enlisted in Edmonton in January of 1915, but was discharged on May 11 as he was "not likely to become an efficient soldier." In September of 1915, Edgar enlisted again, this time in Lake Saskatoon. This time he was accepted. Edgar received a gunshot wound and fractured his jaw in September of 1916 at Albert, France. According to his service file, Edgar was living in Pouce Coupe in 1922 (his parents also lived in Pouce Coupe at the time of his enlistment.
Hughes, John Alfred
Hull, William Henry "Bill"
Regimental Number: 3212874
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
William was born in Glen Valley, BC on May 31, 1896. He was living in Lamont, Alberta when he was drafted in May of 1918. William suffered from chronic bronchitis, as well as an impairment of speech and hearing and was sent to a convalescent home in Canada after the war. He homesteaded north of Northmark in 1929. William died in November of 1972.
Sources: Burnt Embers p. 110, 157; Chepi Sepi p. 182
Hunt, Private
Regimental Number:
Source: Pioneers of the Peace p. 253
Hunt, Russell Carroll
Regimental Number: 469313
Rank: Private
Branch: 25th Battalion
Russell was born in West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia on October 17, 1894. After serving in France and Belgium during World War I, Russell met and married Ella Borden in Halifax The came to the New Fish Creek area in 1937 and filed on a homestead at NW 30-72-21-W5. Russell died in Valleyview on November 9, 1978.
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew p. 441
Hunter, J.
Regimental Number:
Hunter, John
Regimental Number: 231689
Rank: Private
Branch: 202nd Battalion; 10th Battalion
John was born in Glasgow, Scotland on December 25, 1887. He was living in Grande Prairie when he enlisted in June of 1916. He died of wounds (shrapnel wounds to leg, face, and arm, as well as a compound fracture) at the No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station on October 2, 1917.
Hunter, Nathaniel "Nat"
Regimental Number: 3213164
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Nathaniel was born in Rockton, Ontario on August 30, 1896. He came to the Peace country with friends from Edmonton and settled in the Bezanson area in 1916. Nathaniel was drafted in the summer of 1918 but though he made it overseas to England, he never served on the front lines in France. In 1920 he returned to the Bezanson/Glen Leslie area (2-72-3-W6 and 6-72-3-W6). Nathaniel married Mabel Robideau Whalen on October 25, 1933. She was a widow with two children, Robert and Eunice. Nathaniel died in 1956 and was buried in the Glen Leslie Cemetery.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie, pg. 15, 16; Pioneers of the Peace p. 253
Hurlock, Victor Rex
Regimental Number: 670126
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 166th Battalion; 10th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Victor was born in London, England on April 25, 1897. He came to Canada in 1914 and was living near London, Ontario when he enlisted in May of 1916. After being discharged, Victor returned to Canada. He overheard a soldier in front of him stating Edmonton as his destination, and so Victor too answered Edmonton when his turn came. He settled in the Bad Heart area in summer of 1919 (3-75-2-W6 and 4-75-2-W6). His friend Percy Trendall came to the Peace country with him and homesteaded nearby; the had gone to school together in England, and had enlisted and been discharged on the same day. In 1939, Victor married Jennie Smichura. They had three children. Victor died on May 7, 1970.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 44, 1147
Hutchinson, Harry
Regimental Number: 101368
Rank: Private
Branch: 8th Battalion
Harry was born in West Hartlepool, England on February 27, 1887. He enlisted in Lake Saskatoon in September of 1915. His homestead was located at 1-73-7-W6. On October 12, 1916 he was reported "missing, believed killed," after having been previously reported missing. In February of 1917, he was officially reported as having been killed. According to his circumstances of death register, Harry was killed in action on September 26, 1916 at Courcelette, two months after arriving in France.
Hutt, Leonard D. "Slim"
Regimental Number: 809149
Rank: Private
Branch: 137th Battalion; 31st Battalion
Leonard was born on February 28, 1891 in Winchester Springs, Ontario. He was living in Jumping Pound, Alberta when he enlisted in March of 1916. In August of 1918 at Amiens, Leonard received a gunshot wound to his face. The left side of his face was completely paralyzed as a result. Leonard was invalided to Canada in December of 1918. In 1919 Leonard settled in the Five Mile Creek area. He married Ellen May Broadbridge in 1930; the couple had four children. Ellen died in 1940. When World War II started, Leonard once again volunteered for service but was denied due to his injuries and his young family. He sold his farm to his youngest son Gerald in 1962 and moved to Grande Prairie. Leonard died in February of 1971.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie, pg. 214
Inglee, Ernest
Regimental Number: 433147
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Ernest was born in Ottawa, Ontario on August 10, 1882. He was a resident of Spirit River when he enlisted in the Canadian army. Ernest was listed as missing initially, but in March of 1917 he was presumed to have died between June 2 and June 5, 1916. According to his Circumstances of Death Register, he “took part with his battalion in an attack on enemy positions in the Ypres salient and since then no information has been received concerning him.”
Ingstrom, Charles
Charles was a Swedish American veteran of the Philippine War. He came to Rio Grande in 1914. Charles served as a veterinarian in the American army during World War I. He returned to his land in Rio Grande in 1919. He raised Clydesdales and racehorses, did veterinary work, and made harnesses. Charles continued farming until he sold his land in 1943. He died sometime in the 1940s.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 521
Innes, Alexander
Regimental Number: 101469
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 31st Battalion; Canadian Army Medical Corps
Alexander was born in Glasgow, Scotland on March 7, 1888. He was a commercial traveler throughout the British Isles until 1912, when his brother William persuaded him to come to the Peace country. Alexander arrived in Spirit River in April of 1913 and filed on a homestead at SE 21-78-6-W6. He enlisted in the Canadian army in September of 1915. In September of 1916, Alexander received gunshot wounds to his right arm and left wrist at Courcelette; he spent six months, possibly more, in the hospital. In October of 1923, Alexander married Marie McNally, who had served as a nurse in the war, in Edmonton. In addition to farming, he served as secretary-treasurer of his municipality for many years. Alexander died on July 20, 1951.
Source: Pioneers of the Peace p. 176-177; Chepi Sepe p. 520
Innes, Donald Martin Matthieson
Regimental Number: 100540
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 66th Battalion; 31st Battalion
Donald was born in Glasgow, Scotland on October 6, 1890. As a twenty year old, he immigrated to Australia to get involved with raising sheep. Three years later, letters from his brothers Bill and Alexander persuaded him to try farming in the Peace country. Donald arrived in February of 1914 and filed on NE 21-78-6-W6. In July of 1915, he enlisted in the Canadian army. In September of 1916 at the Somme, Donald received a gunshot wound to his right foot. He spent six and a half months in hospitals and convalescent homes. After returning to the front, the wound reopened and Donald was put on light duty. After discharge, he was appointed Soldier Settlement Board inspector, a position which took him all over the Peace region. In 1923, Donald married Mary MacDonald MacDiarmid, a war widow. Two years later they moved into Grande Prairie. In 1928, Donald gave up his post as SSB inspector and went into business for himself - he moved to Sexsmith and opened a garage. Donald died in 1981.
Sources: Chepi Sepe p. 521; Pioneers of the Peace p. 178; Buffalo Trails p. 261; Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 612-613, 1147
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Comes to Grande Prairie from Australia (March 3, 1914)
- Reported wounded (Oct. 3, 1916)
- Mention in Chip Kerr's letter (Aug. 15, 1916)
- Letter (November 1, 1916)
- Automobile Salesman (1933)
- Biography (1934)
- Boys Who Went Overseas
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
Innes, Marie (McNally)
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: Canadian Army Medical Corps (No. 11 Canadian General Hospital/Moore Barracks Military Hospital; No. 12 Canadian General Hospital/Bramshott Military Hospital)
Marie was born in Bruce County, Ontario on June 29, 1892. She served as a nurse during World War I. In July of 1919 she returned to Canada, and was discharged in January of 1920. Marie married Alexander Innes in Edmonton in October of 1923.
Sources: Chepi Sepe pg. 520-521; Pioneers of the Peace p. 176-177
Ireland, DeCourcey Cargell
Regimental Number: 505601
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Engineers
DeCourcey was born in New Zealand on October 12, 1877. At the age of 18 he got a job on a boat sailing for Canada. He traveled inland to the Okanagan Valley, where he met and married Mary Tonson. In 1904/1905, they moved to High Prairie, Alberta with their young family. DeCourcey served in the Canadian army during World War I. In 1933, the Irelands moved to New Fish Creek and lived on a homestead at NE 2-73-22-W5. DeCourcey died on April 23, 1955.
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew p. 443
Iverson, Peter
Branch: American Army
Peter served in the American army during World War I. After the war, he came up to the Bonanza district and filed on a homestead at NE 9-80-12-W6. He is buried in the Bonanza cemetery.
Sources: Homesteaders' Heritage p. 239
Jackson, John Harold "Jack"
Regimental Number: 466605
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 9th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
John was born in London, England on September 21, 1881. At the time of his enlistment in July of 1915, he and his wife Elizabeth were living in Edmonton. John died on January 2, 1958 and is buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147
Jackson, Joseph
Regimental Number: 552797
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Engineers
Joseph was born in Millham, England on August 17, 1883. He and his wife, Bertha Louise, were living in Medicine Hat at the time of his enlistment in November of 1915. According to his service file, Joseph spent a great deal of time in hospitals with various illnesses. Joseph died on June 18, 1922 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: Grande Prairie Cemetery
Jasmin, Sebastian
Regimental Number: 1009789
Rank: Private
Branch: 229th Battalion; Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Sebastian was born in Sedan, Ardennes, France on April 14, 1889. He was living in Bender, Saskatchewan at the time of his enlistment in March of 1916. Sebastian settled in Guy in 1927 and filed on a homestead at SW 35-75-21-W5. He died on January 14, 1975.
Sources: Guy, p. 385
Jaundraw, John
Regimental Number: 826301
Rank: Private
Branch: 143rd Battalion Railway Construction Battalion; 47th Battalion
John was born in Arnprior, Ontario on September 11, 1883. He was farming in Grande Prairie at the time of his enlistment in March of 1916. In August of 1917 at Lens, France, John received a gunshot wound to his right leg. Later that year he was discharged, medically unfit because of his leg. John married a woman named Mary Ann. He died on December 24, 1935.
Jebb, George Henry
Regimental Number: 1287225
Rank: Private
Branch: 157th Battalion
George "Harry" was born in Staffordshire, England on July 20, 1899. He came to the Peace country in 1911 with his parents. In January of 1919, Harry enlisted in the Canadian army. He never left Canada and was discharged in July of 1919.
Harry died a tragic death by burning (boating?) in 1933 at Great Bear Lake.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 177; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 165
Jenner, Harry Lewis
Regimental Number: 101114
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Harry was born in Wallaceburg, Ontario on April 27, 1893. He came to the Peace country over the Edson Trail in October of 1913 and filed on a homestead one and a half miles north of Hythe the following spring. Harry enlisted in the Canadian army in July of 1915. In November of 1917, he received shrapnel wounds to his right arm and side. In December of 1917, while serving overseas, Harry married Agnes, a Scotswoman. They came back to Hythe in 1920. Harry died on February 3, 1956.
Sources: Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 113; Pioneer Round Up p. 236
Jensen, Arne
Regimental Number: 472716
Rank: Private
Branch: 44th Battalion
Arne was born in Henningsvær, Norway on November 3, 1888. He was living in Saskatoon at the time of his enlistment in November of 1915, though at some point he had filed on a homestead at 9-78-4-W6. Arne went missing at Vimy Ridge and was presumed to have died "on or since April 10, 1917."
Sources: homestead records
Johnson, Arthur
Arthur was born in Johnson County, Kentucky in 1884. He came to Calgary in 1901, and became a Canadian citizen five years later. In 1914, Arthur joined the Canadian army. He returned to Canada in 1919 with his British war bride, Gladys Sarah Bowtell. The couple, along with their four young children, moved to the Beaverlodge area in 1928. Arthur died in 1959.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies Supplement p. 147
Johnson, Harry James Bryan
Regimental Number: 101052
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Harry was born in Petersburg, North Dakota on November 24, 1897. He came with his family to Saskatchewan in 1905, and then to the Peace River country in 1913, where he filed on a homestead at SE 35-73-5-W6. Harry enlisted in the Canadian army in Edmonton on July 20, 1915. On September 15, 1916 at Courcelette, he received gunshot wounds to both legs. Harry was invalided to Britain a few days later, and returned to France on June 9, 1917. In November of 1917, he contracted tuberculosis. On February 1, 1918, was once again admitted to a hospital and later invalided to Britain. Harry died on March 23, 1918 at 4:30 in the Canadian Special Hospital in Lenham, Kent, England.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 195, 1147; Pioneers of the Peace, p. 297
Johnson, Hedley
Regimental Number: 7793
Rank: Private
Branch: 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles; Reserve Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery; 1st Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment
Hedley was born in Brantford, Ontario on November 30, 1887. He came to Grande Prairie in October of 1910 and filed on a homestead at NE 34-71-5-W6. Hedley enlisted in February of 1915. On June 24, 1915, he married Carmelia “Carrie” Macklin in England. Hedley served only in England and Canada because of his flat feet and bouts of rheumatic fever. In June of 1915, there was some confusion as an H. Johnson was reported to have been killed in action. It turned out to be H. Hugh Johnston, and corrections were printed in the Grande Prairie Herald a week later. Hedley and Carrie arrived back to the homestead in February 1919, where they continued to live until they moved into Grande Prairie in 1928. In 1946, they moved to Rocky Mountain House. Hedley died in Edmonton on February 23, 1973.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 215; Pioneers of the Peace p. 178-179; Grande Prairie Capitol of the Peace p. 70
Johnson, John George
Regimental Number: 3208868
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
John was born in Tofield, Alberta on January 2, 1896. He came to the Peace country with his family in 1912 and filed on a homestead at NW (NE) 13-74-8-W6. John was drafted in 1918 but served only in England. In 1922, he married Gertrude Fredland; the couple had four children. John continued farming until he retired in 1965, though he and Gertrude continued to live on the farm after his retirement. John died in Grande Prairie on April 13, 1978 and was buried in the Northfield cemetery.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 241-244; Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 113; La Glace: Yesterday and Today p. 245-246; The Northfield Settlement p. 50
Johnson, Nels
Regimental Number: 3213988; 1287202
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; Lord Strathcona's Horse
Nels was born in Aspas, Jamtland, Sweden in June of 1890. He immigrated to Canada in 1909 and was living in Grande Prairie when he was drafted in 1918. He never made it overseas and spent his time in the Canadian army just in Canada. In spring of 1920, Nels returned to Sexsmith and went into business as a blacksmith. He married Charlotte Cook Burns in 1930; Lottie had three children from a previous marriage. He continued working as a blacksmith until 1975. Nels died on February 24, 1979 and was buried in the Emerson Trail cemetery.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 615
Johnson, Roy Nelson
Regimental Number: 3213108
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Roy was born in Petersburg, North Dakota on November 18, 1896. He came to the Peace country in 1911 with his family. Roy was drafted in the summer of 1918, but never went overseas. He died on June 21, 1963 and was buried in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Sources: Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 34, 113; Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 204
Johnson, Sam
Regimental Number:
Johnston, Charles Bell Marshall
Regimental Number: 2393340
Rank: Private
Branch: 4th Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Charles was born in Goderich, Ontario on November 7, 1893. He came across the Edson Trail in 1912 with his father, David Alexander Johnston, and five brothers. Charles enlisted in the Canadian army in May of 1917. Three of his brothers – William Earl, Willis David, and Hugh Norman – also served overseas. When he returned after the war, Charles married widow Marie Steffen, who had two children from her previous marriage. For three years he worked at the Bowness Sanatorium in Calgary. In 1923 he and his family moved to Bezanson (NW 25-71-3-W6, NE 26-71-3-W6). By this time Charles and Marie had had two children, Dorothy and Willis. In 1946 Charles sold his land and moved back to Ontario, though he returned to the Goodwin area in 1940 and filed on a homestead at 5-72-1-W6. Charles died in Grande Prairie on April 8, 1966 and was buried in the Goodwin cemetery.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 18; Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 113; photograph courtesy of Wanda Zenner
Johnston, David
Regimental Number: 101088
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Engineers; 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps
David was born in Mount Forrest, Ontario on August 6, 1882. He was living in Grande Prairie at the time of his enlistment in July of 1915, working as a blacksmith. On May 21, 1916, David received shrapnel wounds to his back and chest at Zillebeke, Belgium. According to his service file, he was living in Pincher Creek in 1922. David died on July 24, 1957.
Johnston, Hugh Norman
Regimental Number: 18514
Rank: Private
Branch: 9th Battalion
Norman was born in Goderich, Ontario on March 14, 1887. He came across the Edson Trail in 1912 with his father, David Alexander Johnston, and five brothers. Norman enlisted in the Canadian army in September of 1914. Three of his brothers – William Earl, Willis David, and Charles Bell – also served overseas. On April 22, 1915, Norman was at the front for the Second Battle of Ypres. On April 23, he suffered a gunshot wound to his chest, which fractured his rib and punctured his left lung. Norman was reported missing on May 11, 1915, though on July 13 a letter he had written to his sister was published in the Grande Prairie Herald. He had been taken prisoner and hospitalized in Germany from April 24 until June 30. From that point on he was a prisoner of war and held at Camp Roeselare and Stendal. Norman was released when the war ended and arrived back in England on January 2, 1919. In April he returned to Canada and traveled back to his homesteads in the South Peace (23-71-3-W6 and 25-71-3-W6). He moved to Edmonton in May of 1928 to work as a plainclothes detective. Charles died in Edmonton on August 8, 1942 and was buried in the military section of the Edmonton cemetery.
Source: Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 113; Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 18; photograph courtesy of Wanda Zenner
Johnston, Lyman
Regimental Number:
Johnston, Malcolm
Regimental Number: 154864
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion; Canadian Railway Troops
Malcolm was born in Selkirk, Manitoba on February 27, 1874. As a young man, Malcolm served with the Canadian Mounted Rifles in the Boer War. After being discharged, he came to the Peace country and in 1910 settled in Spirit River. In July of 1916, Malcolm enlisted once again in the Canadian army. While invalided to England in October 1917, he married Lilly Veal Pierce of Kent. In November he was invalided to Canada. Malcolm had suffered from epilepsy since before the war; he suffered from weakness in his right arm and leg; and he had had a brain hemorrhage in France. On January 4 or 6, 1919, Malcolm died in Edmonton or Ponoka, just a few weeks after the death of his wife. His death was related to his war experience; some sources indicate that the cause was shell shock, though his service files make no mention of it.
Sources: Chepi Sepe p. 537
Johnston, Norman
Regimental Number: 101234
Rank: Private
Branch: 31st Battalion
Norman was born in Blake, Huron County, Ontario on February 20, 1892. He was farming in Lake Saskatoon at the time of his enlistment in September of 1915. Norman was wounded several times during his time of service in the Canadian army. In August of 1916, he contracted German measles. A month later, in September of 1916, he received a gunshot wound to his right thigh at Courcelette during the Somme offensive. At Passchendaele on November 6, 1917, Norman received shrapnel wounds. In 1918 he received gunshot wounds to his head and face; he suffered from nasal obstruction later as a result of the wound. Norman was awarded the Military Medal for his action at Rosieres (Battle of Amiens) on August 9, 1918; it is possible that this was when he was wounded the final time. His citation reads as follows:
“When man's section were held up by a strong point in a ruined house he rushed it under the cover of rifle fire and bombed it killing or wounding the entire crew allowing the right half of the section to carry on the advance.”
According to his service file, Norman lived in Dawson Creek/Pouce Coupe between 1919 and 1923.
Johnston, William Earl
Regimental Number: 904761
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Earl was born in Goderich, Ontario on July 8, 1894 (1895?). He came across the Edson Trail in 1912 with his father, David Alexander Johnston, and five brothers. Earl enlisted in the Canadian army in March of 1916. Three of his brothers – Hugh Norman, Willis David, and Charles Bell – also served overseas. Earl was discharged in May of 1919 and returned to Grande Prairie; his homestead was located at NW 26-71-3-W6. In 1920, he moved to Edmonton and worked with the Edmonton Fire Department. Earl was married to a woman named Irene. In 1925, they moved to California, where Earl died on June 9, 1942.
Sources: Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 114; Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 18; photograph courtesy of Wanda Zenner
Johnston, Willis David
Regimental Number: 18208
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 9th Battalion; 1st Field Butchery, Canadian Army Service Corps
Willis was born in Goderich, Ontario in August of 1894. He came across the Edson Trail in 1912 with his father, David Alexander Johnston, and five brothers, and filed on a homestead at SE 26-71-3-W6. Willis enlisted in the Canadian army in September of 1914. Three of his brothers – Hugh Norman, William Earl, and Charles Bell – also served overseas. Willis was listed as dangerously ill and died of influenza on January 3, 1919 at the No. 62 Casualty Clearing Station, which was at Courtrai (Kortrijk), Belgium.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 18; Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 114; photograph courtesy of Wanda Zenner
Joncas, Joseph Antoine
Regimental Number: 3213507
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Joseph was born in Matane, Quebec on September 26, 1896. He and his father were living in Girouxville when he was drafted in June of 1918. Though he shipped overseas, Joseph never saw active duty at the front lines in France and spent his time of service in England. According to his service file, Joseph lived in Quebec after the war.
Jones, John Henry
Regimental Number: 103099
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: 12th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
John was born on October 22, 1887 in County Wexford, Ireland. He came to Canada as a young man and worked as a miner around Barkerville, British Columbia. In October of 1915, John enlisted in the Canadian army. After discharge, he settled in the Teepee Creek area (SW 32-73-3-W6; NE 30-73-3-W6). He lived there until he sold his farm in 1942 and after taking a trip back to Ireland, John relocated to Vancouver. John died in Vancouver on April 25, 1967.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1004, 1147
Jones, Marquis E. (Mark)
Regimental Number: 14451
Rank: Acting Corporal
Branch: Fort Garry Horse
Mark was born in Glen Ewen, Saskatchewan on October 7, 1888. His homesteads were located at 15-72-4-W6, 13-72-4-W6, 2-74-12-W6, 14-72-1-W6, and 22-72-4-W6 (Kleskun Hills and Lymburn). He joined the Canadian army on September 24, 1914. Mark injured left shoulder about 40 miles behind the lines; he was giving a horse some medicine when the horse threw up its head. He was hanging onto the halter and injured his shoulder. Mark required surgery to remove some new formation of bone in front of the shoulder joint, which caused him much discomfort even after surgery and massage therapy. On March 21, 1918, he was discharged in Regina, having been found medically unfit. According to his medical record, he had a 12 inch surgical scar. Mark married Margaret MacDonnell, a widow who worked as his housekeeper for a time. He died on September 18, 1965.
Sources: Pioneer Round Up p. 395
Jones, Samuel Philip
Regimental Number: 452649
Rank: Private
Branch: 58th Battalion
Samuel was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England on November 16, 1891. He came to Canada as a young man and worked on a farm in Ontario. In July of 1915, Samuel enlisted in the Canadian army in Toronto. During his time overseas, he met and married Rosa Wynn Jack in Scotland. After the war they returned to Canada and came west to McLennan, where Samuel worked as a watchman with the Edmonton, Dunvegan, and B.C. Railroad. In 1929 he was promoted to engineer, a position he held until he retired in 1956. Samuel and Rosa had six children. Rosa died in McLennan in 1928, and in 1945 Samuel married Anna Reymer. They lived in McLennan until Samuel’s retirement, at which time they moved to Okanagan Falls, BC. Samuel died in December of 1966.
Sources: Trails and Rails North, p. 44, 235
Jordan, Herbert
Regimental Number:
Herbert married Louise Massey of Fort Francis, Ontario on June 26, 1919. That fall Herb came to Grande Prairie looking for land and in May 1920 he brought his wife and their six month old daughter Kathleen to their homestead. Herb died in Grande Prairie on August 25, 1980 at the age of 87.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 389
Jordan, R. D.
Regimental Number:
Jordan, Thomas Carbery "Tommy"
Regimental Number: 101233
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Engineers
Tommy was born in Arthur, Ontario on July 1, 1887. He filed on NW 23-71-8-W6 in 1910 and for some time worked as the manager of the Revillon Brothers trading post at Sturgeon Lake. Tommy enlisted in the Canadian army in September of 1915. He left Grande Prairie around 1920, though he returned to visit with his wife in 1922.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 407, 411
Jordan, Walter
Regimental Number: 105156
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 68th Battalion; 5th Battalion
Walter was born in Lubenham, Leicestershire, England on April 23, 1878. On December 14, 1904, he married Martha Edith. He served in the British Army during the Boer War, and in October of 1915 enlisted in the Canadian Army. In May of 1917, Walter suffered from trench fever and when he continued to have heart trouble afterward, he requested and was granted discharge in April of 1918. It was at this time that he brought his family to the Peace country, taking a homestead near Donnelly. In 1941 the Jordans moved to Wembley in hopes of finding better farmland. Walter died in Grande Prairie on January 11, 1966.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 411; HT Jan. 25 & 29, 1957
Josse, Father Alexandre
Rank: Secretary of Staff
Branch: French Army Reserve, 11th Legion
Father Josse was born in St. Herblain, France around 1877. After completing his training for the priesthood, he was sent to Canada and arrived at Dunvegan on October 11, 1902. For a number of years Father Josse traveled around the Peace country on horseback to minister to the Catholics throughout the region. In July of 1917 he was called up to join the French Army for the duration of World War I. He served as Secretary of Staff of the 11th Legion initially, and later as an interpreter. During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive at the end of the war, Father Josse was awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery while assisting the wounded under heavy artillery fire. After the war, he returned to Grande Prairie, where he remained until 1931 – at this time he was called to a professorship at the Seminary of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. Father Josse died on February 13, 1964 in St. Norbert, Manitoba, at the age of 87.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 86-88; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 4; check our newspaper database for many more newspaper references