Image: This party heading to the Peace country from Edmonton, on February 3, 1911, 3 pm, consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cochrane; Mr. and Mrs. James Moore, Maimee and David; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moore, Margaret and David; Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Bradford, Cameron and Marjorie; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Shortreed; Stanley Agar (brother of Jennie Cochrane) and Joe Mc Laughlin. They travelled via Athabasca, Lesser Slave Lake, Grouard, Sturgeon Lake and arrived in the Grande Prairie area on March 17, 1911. (SPRA 268.02.01)
Private George Agar
Regimental Number: 204089
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment; 96th Battalion; 15th Battalion
George was born in Goderich, Ontario on January 3, 1896. He shipped overseas with brother Stanley and started training in England, then went to France. The brothers arrived in England on Oct. 6, 1916 aboard SS Laconia. George was wounded on July 20, 1917 while defending Hill 70, and his brother Stanley carried him to the rear. A few days later, on July 24, 1917, George died of many shrapnel wounds to his legs and chest. He was buried in the Lillers Communal Cemetery, near Bethune, France.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 280
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War Profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Reported Location of Grave
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- CWGC Register
- CWGC Register
- Find A Grave
Corporal James Stanley Agar
Regimental Number: 204071
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 96th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Highlanders; 5th Reserve Battalion; 15th Battalion
Stanley was born in Goderich, Ontario on November 12, 1896. He enlisted in December 1915 and arrived in England on Oct. 6, 1916 aboard SS Laconia. According to medical records, he was completely deaf in his left ear (“auditory nerve deafness”) as a result of being hit in the ear with a snowball as a child. Stanley took part in the march to Germany at the end of the war. He returned to Canada in 1919 and married Lelia Durnin in August of that year. They farmed in Saskatchewan until 1937, when they came to farm in Dimsdale. Stanley died in 1957.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 411; Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 270 & 279
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War Profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Find A Grave
Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this blog series. The Soldiers’ Memorial commemorates more than 1,100 WWI veterans and 2,300 WWII veterans from our region. Three dedicated volunteers have contributed over 1,200 hours to this project by researching and writing biographies. Our goal is to have all South Peace soldiers acknowledged for their service. If you know of someone who lived in the South Peace and should be listed on the Memorial, or would like to get involved by researching a local veteran, please contact the Archives.