World War I soldiers, ca. 1917
C-D E-G H-J K-L M N-Ri Ro-S T-Y
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Adair, William Allan
Regimental Number: 2192508
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: 7th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops
William Adair was born July 1, 1893 in Waterford, Kings Co., New Brunswick. He married Nellie May Stewart on December 25, 1914 in Regina, Saskatchewan. William enlisted on May 22, 1917. In 1919, he settled in Teepee Creek and became their first school teacher. His homesteads were located at 16-74-3-W6 and 21-74-3-W6. William also served in WWII in the R.C.A. Medical Corps. William passed away on April 25, 1966, the day of his wife's funeral.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 873
Adams, George Griffin
Regimental Number: 2383249
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Manitoba Regiment; Royal Air Force
George "Griff" Adams was born in Edinburgh, North Dakota on September 21, 1895. He joined the army on May 7, 1918, but was immediately discharged (at his request) so he could join the RAF. Griff arrived in Beaverlodge in 1929 to be a partner in his brother William's business. After a number of years he moved to Manitoba to take care of his parents. He died in September 1950 of a brain hemorrhage.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 80
Adams, Norman
Regimental Number: 115511
Rank: Driver
Branch: 10th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Norman was born in Simcoe County, Ontario on October 30, 1890. He moved to Saskatchewan as a young man and enlisted in Regina in May of 1915. After his discharge in June of 1919, Norman came to the Peace country. He moved back to Ontario in the early 1960s and married the widow of an old friend. Norman was killed in a car crash in August of 1972.
Sources: Across the Smoky p. 63
Adams, William Quincy
Regimental Number: 6135
Rank: Private
Branch: Lord Strathcona's Horse; Royal Flying Corps
William was born in Edinburgh, North Dakota on September 6, 1893. He was injured during the war and later returned to Canada on sick leave, just before the end of the war. He married Abigail Mildred Black while living in Rossburn, Manitoba. William and Abbie moved to Beaverlodge in 1928, where William opened a hardware store. William died of injuries received in a car crash in Vancouver on January 15, 1956. He was buried in Grande Prairie.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 79
Note: According to William's military service file, he sustained a knee injury while on parade in early May 1916, before he joined the RFC. His commanding officer stated that "the soldier was in no way to blame". According to his Medical Case Sheet, his knee had already been giving him trouble in February/March of 1916 at the Somme, and he was then admitted to the hospital and remained there for some time. The diagnosis was synovitis in his right knee.
Agar, George
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
Agar, Irwin Smyth
Regimental Number: 259945
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatoon Regiment
Irwin Agar was born in Dungannon, Ontario on June 6, 1897. He came on the first train to Grande Prairie in 1916 and filed on a homestead at Kleskun Lake, which he later sold. He was drafted in May 1918. Irwin returned to the Peace Country in 1937, where he farmed until he fell off a ladder and broke his back in 1959. He retired to Vernon, BC, where he died on May 4, 1973.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 411. Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 279
Agar, James Stanley
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 (along with brother Irwin) came to farm in Dimsdale. Stanley died in 1957.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 411; Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 270 & 279
Aitken, William Hamblin
Rank: Private
Branch: "K" Company, 30th Infantry Regiment (American Army)
William was born in Iowa in August of 1888/1889. He owned a homestead at 23-72-11-W6. During World War I he served in the American army. He was killed in action in July of 1918 after only a few days in the trenches.
Sources: homestead records
Albright, Frederick Stanley
Regimental Number: 895173
Rank: Private
Branch: 50th Battalion
Fred was born in Township Dunn, Ontario on March 23, 1883. Before World War I, he was a partner in a law firm in Calgary, together with John Brownlee. He and his wife, Elnora Evelyn Kelly, were living in Calgary at the time of his enlistment in June of 1916. Fred shared his brother's (W.D. Albright) confidence in the Peace country and filed on a homestead at 8-72-9-W6. However, he was killed in action at Passchendaele on October 26, 1917 without having had the opportunity to develop his land. His grave marker in Larch Wood Cemetery is inscribed with "Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him Heb. 3.2"
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 193
Alexander, Charles Edward
Regimental Number: 1251124
Rank: Driver
Branch: 78th Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery; 2nd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
Charles Edward Alexander was born in Stony Plain, Alberta in December of 1898. Edward married Kae Eggen from Edmonton in 1930. He lived in several mining communities in western and northern Canada, finally settling in Fort Saskatchewan due to ill health. Edward and Kae had two sons, William and Arthur. Edward died in 1973 and is buried in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Fort Saskatchewan.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace, p. 122
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War Profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Photograph (ca. 1916)
- Leave for Edmonton to Join Battalion (Nov. 7, 1916)
- Bunks with Harold Newgord (May 29, 1917)
- Letter (Jan. 6, 1918, p. 1)
- Letter (Jan. 6, 1918, p. 2)
- Letter (Feb. 17, 1918 p.1)
- Letter (Feb. 17, 1918 p.2)
- Letter (Feb. 17, 1918 p.3)
- Letter (Feb. 24, 1918 p.1)
- Letter (Feb. 24, 1918 p.2)
- Letter (Feb. 24, 1918 p.3)
- Alexander Family fonds
Alexander, William Paul
Regimental Number: 1251125
Rank: Gunner
Branch: 78th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery
William Paul Alexander was born on October 4, 1897 in Rossland, British Columbia. He farmed at Rycroft (4-78-5-W6; 9-78-5-W6; 5-78-5-W6) after the war and served for a time as Spirit River's councillor. He later moved to Appleton in 1935 to assist his sister, Jean, by then a widow. He married Ida Walker there. William died in 1966 and is buried next to his mother in the Rycroft cemetery.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p.122.
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War Profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Photograph (ca. 1916)
- Letter from John Pringle (Sept. 12, 1915 p.1)
- Letter from John Pringle (Sept. 12, 1915 p.2)
- Leave for Edmonton to Join Battalion (Nov. 7, 1916)
- Bunks with Harold Newgord (May 29, 1917)
- Christmas Card (1917)
- Letter (Feb. 3, 1918, p.1)
- Letter (Feb. 3, 1918, p.2)
- Letter (Feb. 3, 1918, p.3)
- Letter (Feb. 21, 1918 p.1)
- Letter (Feb. 21, 1918 p.2)
- Letter (Feb. 21, 1918 p.3)
- Boys Who Went Overseas
- Alexander Family fonds
Alexandre, Joseph
Regimental Number: 3035235
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion; 2nd Quebec Regiment Pontoon Bridging Company Canadian Engineers
Joseph was born in St. Rocque, Quebec on September 24, 1895. He filed for a homestead in Guy in 1922 (SE 24-72-22 W5). On November 14, 1925, Joseph married Marie-Jeanne Belanger. He died on December 24, 1962 and was buried in Falher.
Sources: Guy p. 149
Allain, Arthur
Regimental Number: 3213092
Rank: Private
Branch: 21st Reserve Depot Battalion
Arthur was born on October 1, 1896 in Summerfalls, New Hampshire. He arrived in Falher with his parents in 1914. After serving in the war, he returned and filed for a homestead on SW 14-78-21-5. In 1946 he married in Calgary.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace, p. 165
Allard, Albert
Regimental Number: 26402
Rank: Private
Branch: 21st Reserve Depot Battalion; 14th Battalion
Albert Allard was born on April 25, 1894 in St. Roch L'Achigan, Quebec. He came to Donnelly, Alberta in 1914 and filed on a homestead at NE 1-78-21-5. On April 23, 1915, Albert was on a ration party at Ypres when a shell burst close to him, knocking him down. He was not rendered unconscious, but his shoulder was injured. He was invalided to England to be treated for various injuries/illnesses, including shell-shock. On May 4, 1915, his Medical Case Sheet read: "much improved, but not really well." Three months later, he was 16 pounds lighter than his usual weight, and his shoulder was still somewhat stiff. But worst of all, he was in a very nervous condition, "his whole being quivering all the time." He was sent back to Canada in August, 1915 because of nervous shock. After the war, he sold his land to Dr. Gauthier and returned to Montreal. It is unknown whether he was ever able to recover.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 99, 166
Ames, Arthur Joseph
Regimental Number: 505875
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Engineer Training Depot
Arthur was born on August 13, 1877 in London, England. He came as a homesteader in 1914 and filed on 32-73-5-6, west of I.R. Hunter. He went missing on November 29, 1916 (the army considered him a deserter) and was presumed dead.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 858
Ames, Charles Thomas
Regimental Number: 2128923
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion Manitoba Regiment; 16th Battalion
Charles was born in Brookdale, Manitoba on December 16, 1893. He filed on a homestead near Bezanson (SW 15-72-3-W6) in 1916. In January 1918 he went overseas. He received a bullet wound in left foot on September 2, 1918 at Arras; fortunately there was no permanent disability or deformity. Charles was discharged from the army in February 1919. In 1931, after an adventurous life, Charles married Elsie Cox of Justice, Manitoba. He brought his family back to the Peace Country in 1944. He died in Grande Prairie in January of 1981.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 309-311, 338-339
Ames, George Franklin
Regimental Number: 2130152
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion Manitoba Regiment; Canadian Army Medical Corps
George was born on September 29, 1897 in Brookdale, Manitoba. He came down with the measles in August 1918 and was discharged in September of 1919. After the war, he met Thelma Louise Robideau in Bezanson and they were married in Edmonton on January 30, 1922. They returned to the homestead in Bezanson (9-72-3-W6; 10-72-3-W6; 15-72-3-W6). George died in Bezanson on May 19, 1966.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p.312
Anderson, Alexander MacGregor
Regimental Number: 101098
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion
Alexander Anderson was born in Arbroath, Scotland on September 30, 1874. He joined up in Edmonton on July 22, 1915 and deserted on January 25, 1916. Alexander's homestead was located at 18-72-5-W6.
Anderson, Axel George
Regimental Number: 256348
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment; 4th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Axel was born on May 15, 1893 in Lyle, Minnesota and came to homestead in LaGlace (NW 7-74-8-W6) in 1911. He was sent overseas in 1914, but was discharged after being gassed. Upon his return, he sold his homestead and filed on NE 9-74-8-W6, a corner of which later became part of LaGlace. Axel never married and died in Grande Prairie on September 20, 1971.
Sources: LaGlace Yesterday and Today p. 61, 62 & 313
Note: The community book biography contains some discrepancies with Axel's military service file, which may be viewed at the Enlistment Form link below. Evidently he went overseas in 1918 and was discharged in June 1919; nothing in his records mentions being gassed, only that he had measles and mumps. Axel died on September 20, 1971.
Anderson, Hugh
Regimental Number:
Anderson, John Gibson
Regimental Number: 1958
Rank: Major
Branch: 19th Alberta Dragoons; 5th Battalion
John was born on January 19, 1885 in Glasgow, Scotland. He filed on a homestead at 22-74-8-W6 in 1914, but joined up later that year. John was awarded the Military Cross on October 8, 1915 "For conspicuous gallantry near Messines on 8th October, 1915, when he went out with Private Wythe to a German sap. Lieutenant Anderson entered the sap, and Private Wythe crept along the edge. They met and shot two Germans, exchanged shots with three others, and brought back the rifles of the men they had killed. Next day they returned to the sap, and attacked another party of Germans, who retired, leaving a clock, some bombs, a periscope, etc., behind. These they brought in. Much valuable information was gained." On April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge, John received shrapnel wounds to his left jaw, which chipped the bone, and also to his neck. He was killed in action at Passchendaele on November 10, 1917, the final day of a 102-day battle.
Sources: Buffalo Trails p. 220
Anderson, Leslie
Regimental Number: 3206292
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 31st Battalion; 20th Battalion
Leslie was born on April 30, 1890 in Plantaganet, Ontario. He filed on a homestead at 34-77-6-W6, near Spirit River. Leslie was drafted near the end of the war and reached France in June 1918.
Anderson, Oliver
Regimental Number: 231721
Rank: Private
Branch: 202nd Battalion; 13th Special Service Company
Oliver was born on March 22, 1893 in Oklahoma. When the war began, he was farming in Clairmont (24-72-6-W6) and he enlisted in Edmonton on July 15, 1916. However, Oliver was deemed medically unfit (rheumatism, which started at the age of 10) in April 1917 and he was discharged.
Anderson, P.
Regimental Number:
Anderson, Phoebe Elizabeth (Lawrence)
Rank: Nurse
Branch: Medical Corps
Phoebe Elizabeth Lawrence was born in Stourbridge, England in 1878. She married Charles Buck in England on March 11, 1918 and followed him home to Canada after the war. Charles had been badly gassed during the war and died in 1920. Phoebe married Norman Anderson in 1921. In the mid-twenties she operated a post office and store on their farm (6-74-8-W6) while her husband hauled the mail to Lake Saskatoon from Wembley. Phoebe died in January of 1963.
Sources: Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 95
Anderton, Frederick
Regimental Number: 2684153
Rank: Corporal (reverted from Corporal to Private on June 24, 1918)
Branch: RNWMP; Canadian Light Horse
Frederick was born on December 17, 1889 in Claybrook, England. Prior to coming to Canada, he served with the Leicestershire Constabulary from 1910 until 1912. He joined the RNWMP at Regina on August 9, 1913 and continued to serve until 1937, apart from the time spent in the army during World War I. In 1915 he went to Fort Good Hope in search of two priests who were thought to have been murdered by the natives. At this time he was a sergeant in the Grande Prairie Detachment of the RNWMP. He enlisted in the RNWMP unit in 1918 and went overseas to serve in France. He arrived exactly one month before the Armistice and saw action in France and Belgium before being discharged on March 13, 1919. Anderton Channel in the NWT was named after him. Frederick died in Surrey, BC on October 20, 1974.
Source: Grande Prairie: Capitol of the Peace p. 56; RCMP Graves Database
Angers, Alfred Robert
Regimental Number: 279485
Rank: Private
Branch: 218th Battalion
Alfred was born in Quebec on May 16, 1871, according to his service file. However, according to his homestead record, he was 53 when he filed on SW 28-77-20-W5 in 1917, which would have placed his year of birth ca. 1864. It is likely that Alfred lied about his age to enlist in the army in 1916. The deception did not work as planned, as he was discharged (medically unfit) on May 2, 1916.
Arac, Constantine "Fred"
Regimental Number: 3181724
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 94th Regiment; 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment; Canadian Railway Troops
Constantine was born on August 7, 1897 in Russia. He, along with his younger brother John, came to Canada in 1913 at the age of 15 to join his elder brother Emil. Constantine, or Fred, was a miner in Nova Scotia until he joined the army in World War I. On Christmas Eve 1918 he arrived back in Canada. While in Europe, Fred had made friends with Pete Stalberg of Beaverlodge and together they came back to the Grande Prairie area. Fred filed on land near Sexsmith, where his brother John joined him in fall of 1919. In fall of 1922 Fred took a job in Vancouver, and he never returned to the Peace Country until he visited his brother in 1966.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p.393
Arcand, Joachim
Regimental Number: 3213104
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion
Joachim was born on August 18, 1897 in St. Albans, Quebec. He filed on a homestead (SE22-78-21-5) in 1915. On June 7, 1918 he was drafted into the army. Joachim was discharged just over a year later on July 18, 1919 at which time he returned to Falher. He remained single and lived with his sister Cecile in the priest's residence in Donnelly. Joachim died in McLennan on March 7, 1984 and is buried in Ste. Anne Cemetery in Falher.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 99 & 168
Armstrong, David Edward
Regimental Number: 3213460
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
David "Ed" Armstrong was born in Albemarle, Ontario on March 3, 1895. When their father died in 1914, Ed and brother Leo came west to file on a homestead, 35-72-11-W6 west of Grande Prairie. The boys returned to Ontario and in 1916 Ed, Leo, their mother Susan and sisters Ila and Dessie loaded their supplies and traveled to the end of the rail line in Grande Prairie. Once there, it took them four days to travel to their homestead near Hythe, Alberta. Ed was drafted in March of 1918, to serve in the war but was discharged months later as the war had ended. In 1922 he married Grace Evelyn Everton. The couple stayed in the Hythe area. Ed died in the Beaverlodge hospital on February 19, 1960.
Source: Pioneer Round-Up p. 173, SPRA Fonds 632 biography
Armstrong, George Arthur
Regimental Number: 506397
Rank: Driver
Branch: Canadian Engineers
George was born in Belleville, Kansas on August 13, 1894. He filed on a homestead at NE 2-73-7-W6 in October of 1916, and the following month enlisted in the Canadian Army. In his will (page 9 of his service file), George left all his possessions to a Jewish school in the United States. George deserted in April of 1917.
Armstrong, J.A.
Regimental Number:
Ash, Cecil
Regimental Number: 33274
Rank: Private
Branch: 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance
Cecil was born September 14, 1890 in London, England. While training in England he met Lillian and it was "love at first sight," he said. He joined up on September 25, 1914 and was discharged on May 7, 1919. After the war Cecil returned to Canada and acquired land near Crossfield, Alberta. Lillian joined him in 1920 and they were married in Calgary. The Ash family moved to the Peace Country in 1930 after losing their farm in Crossfield. Cecil died in Grande Prairie on September 7, 1977.
Sources: Homesteaders' Heritage p. 356-359
Atkinson, Charles
Regimental Number:
Date of Birth: 1882
Died: 1956
Sources: Pioneer Round-Up p. 61
Atkinson, William
Regimental Number: 472536
Rank: Private
Branch: 46th Battalion; 5th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops; No. 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Canadian Army Medical Corps
William was born on March 11, 1885(1886?) in Keswick, England. He came to Canada around 1910 and at the time of his enlistment in 1915 was living in Saskatchewan. William received a gunshot wound to his right arm at the Somme, and injury to his scalp as well; he was seriously ill. After his recovery, he joined the Railway Troops. In 1917 he was gassed. William was granted permission to marry on Sept. 21, 1918 and on October 1 his pay started going to his new wife. He was discharged on May 1, 1919. William, along with his wife Doris and daughter Joan, moved to Valhalla from England in 1929 and filed on a homestead at NE 33-75-9-6. They didn't farm much, but raised Persian cats for sale. He died after a long illness caused by war injuries on January 29, 1939.
Sources: Pioneer Round-Up Volume II p. 436; LaGlace Yesterday & Today p. 92; Cemetery Record
Auger, Celestine
Regimental Number: 3213101
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion; Canadian Army Service Corps
Celestine was born on February 10, 1894 in Grouard, Alberta. He was drafted in June of 1918 and arrived in England in August. Celestine never saw active duty at the front lines in France, and was discharged on August 28, 1919. He died in June 1962.
Auger, Leon
Regimental Number: 3214662
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Leon was born January 28, 1891 in Greisfield, Quebec. He was drafted in 1918 but never went overseas as he contracted the influenza in Calgary. He was sent back to Grande Prairie and died in the isolation hospital on November 4, 1918.
Aylesworth, James Walter
Regimental Number: 256387
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment; 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion; 15th Reserve Battalion
James was born on April 2, 1883 in Odessa, Ontario. He was drafted near the end of the war and settled in Flying Shot in 1921. James loved young people, and one Christmas he knit and hung 500 pairs of mittens on the tree at the Flying Shot Lake School for the children of the district. He died in Grande Prairie on January 7, 1964.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 135 & 411
Babcock, Zeba
Regimental Number: 2158501
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Forestry Corps
Zeba was born in Odessa, Ontario on February 12, 1890. His wife's name was Jeannette. The couple had two young children when he enlisted in 1917: Asa Carleton (2 years) and Verna Emily (2 months).
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew p. 303
Babineau, Simeon
Regimental Number:
Branch: American Army
Simeon Babineau was born in St. Felix de Kinsey, Quebec on January 13, 1889. He came west in 1913 and filed on a homestead in June 1914. Two years later Simeon was called up to serve in the American army. After the war he settled in Falher. He married Theresa Brenhofer on January 14, 1930; she died only four years later. In 1941, Simeon moved to Montreal but he returned to Falher in 1950. He died on February 11, 1971 and was buried in the Falher cemetery.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 99 & 182
Bailey, Douglas Oliver
Regimental Number: 472829
Rank: Private
Branch: 65th Battalion; 46th Battalion; 4th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Douglas Bailey was born on July 6, 1896 in Brookley, London, England. His father was William Oliver Bailey of England, and he had two brothers, Arthur and Henry. He came to Saskatchewan from England in 1910. Douglas served in the first World War. He was wounded twice. On October 26, 1917 he received a gunshot wound to his left arm and on August 21, 1918, another gunshot wound, this time to his right knee. Douglas was discharged in June 1919. In 1922 he filed on a homestead in the Peace area, and married Mrs. Clara Johnston (nee Myers). They farmed and settled in the Buffalo Lakes area. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey had five children: Marguerite Johnston, Ronald Johnston, and Edith, Gwen, and Barbara Bailey. Douglas died in October 1977 at age 81 in Grande Prairie AB.
Sources: Buffalo Trails p. 96
Bain, Melford Frederick
Regimental Number: 718322
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 117th Battalion, Canadian Infantry; 107th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Melford was born in Mount Albert, County York, Ontario on December 22, 1889. He and his wife Edith and their three children came to the Peace country in 1929 and settled in the Mount Saskatoon school district, where Melford served on the school board. When World War II broke out in 1939, Melford once again served in the army. He died in March of 1974.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies, p. 236
Baird, William Percival
Regimental Number:
Rank:
Branch: Royal Field Artillery
William was born in Yorkshire, England in 1894, though spent most of his boyhood in Ireland. During the first world war, he served in the Royal Field Artillery for four years, in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. In 1920 he came to Canada and homesteaded at 30-71-10-W6 and 31-71-10-W6 near Beaverlodge. William raised pheasants on his farm and over the years was able to release hundreds of pheasants about the district. In 1937 he married Sadie Martin. The couple had three sons. On July 20, 1969 William's brother Sydney was coming back from Texas with a new helicopter and stopped to pick up William and Sadie for a visit to Watson Lake. A mechanical failure in the helicopter forced a crash landing near Fort Nelson. Sydney crawled out to the nearest highway, nearly two miles away, to get help in spite of his injured back, but William was pronounced dead before help arrived.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies Supplement p. 13; obituary notes
Baker, Robert John
Regimental Number: 2663548
Rank: Gunner
Branch: 78th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery; Reserve Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery; 10th Canadian Siege Battery
Robert "Bob" Baker was born in Caledonia, Ontario on May 3, 1885. He arrived in the Peace country in April 1912, coming by stage coach over the Edson Trail, and settled in the Hythe area. Bob was drafted in March of 1918 and served in the 78th Field Artillery in France and Belgium. At the time when the Armistice was signed, Bob was engaged in the Battle of Mons. After the war, Bob took a soldier's grant and purchased a second quarter of land. He married Alice Giberson on May 15, 1930. Bob died on February 11, 1983 and was buried in the Hythe cemetery.
Source: Centennial Celebration Edson Trail p. 48; Pioneer Round Up p. 177 & 4a
Bakstad, Mathias Christian
Branch: American Army
Matt was born in Lillehammer, Norway on May 22, 1890. In 1894, he came with his parents to North Dakota. Matt enlisted in the American army in June of 1917. After the war, he came up to the La Glace area to join his parents, who had relocated during the war. He filed on a homestead at NW 12-74-9-W6, and bought the La Glace store. In 1923, Matt married Hilda Johnson; the couple had four children. They sold the store in 1927 and moved to the farm; ten years later they sold the farm and moved back into La Glace, where they built a cafe and boarding house. Matt and Hilda moved into Grande Prairie in 1945, and worked there until their retirement in 1969. Matt died on June 30, 1974.
Sources: La Glace p. 39, 92-94, 262; Buffalo Trails p. 208
Balfour, Harry Ezra
Rank: Captain
Branch: 61st Battalion; 49th Battalion
Harry was born in Gore's Landing, Ontario on April 26, 1893. He studied education, completing some of his undergraduate studies in Cambridge. When Harry enlisted in the Canadian army in October of 1915, he was living in Edmonton. On September 16, 1916, Harry was wounded. He was wounded a second time on October 8 (grenade wounds to his left arm and foot, right leg and thigh, and back). At first Harry was reported missing, but on November 2 it was reported that he had been taken prisoner. Harry was held at the following POW camps:
Kriegsgefangenlager Parchim Meckl
Furstenburgh
Straslund
He was taken 'on staff' in Copenhagen in December of 1918, and repatriated on February 1, 1919. Harry was granted permission to marry on February 15, 1919, and was married in spring of that year. He worked as a teacher in Edmonton from 1919 until 1929, and as the inspector of schools for Grande Prairie in 1929 and 1930, a position to which he returned in 1933. Harry died in January or February of 1965.
Sources: see newspaper database for more clippings relating to Harry's career
Band, Charles James
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 31st Battalion RMN
died: Dec. 15, 1973 - age 91
Sources: GP Cemetery
Barber, David Albert
Regimental Number: 929002
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Battalion, Central Ontario Regimental Depot; 153rd Battalion; 4th Battalion
David Barber was born on October 18, 1890 in the township of Arthur, Ontario. He joined the army in December of 1916. On August 16, 1917, David received burns and wounds when a mine exploded during instruction in trench raids at Longmoor Ranges, England. Particles of powder were embedded in his skin. He was in the hospital for two months, and returned multiple times during his time in the army because of an abscessed face, likely a result of his previous injuries. On October 1, 1918, he was reported missing in action, but later the same day was found safe with his unit. David was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on December 7, 1918. After the war, he settled in the Bad Heart area, as did his brother Percy. David filed on homesteads at 9-75-2-W6 and 4-75-2-W6. He died on March 12, 1947.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1147 & 21
Barber, Percy Arthur
Regimental Number: 781039; 105301
Rank: Private
Branch: 50th Battalion
Percy was born on April 17, 1894 in Mount Forest, Ontario. He served in both France and Belgium and was awarded Military Medal in 1917. Percy and his brother Dave settled in the Bad Heart area; Percy homesteaded at 20-75-2-W6 and 21-75-2-W6. He died on January 20, 1962.
Source: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 21
Barleau, J.
Regimental Number:
Branch: Canadian Engineers
Barnes, Alfred Spencer
Alfred was born in Manitoba. He served in the Canadian Army in World War I; Alfred's legs were severely wounded and he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. In 1929, Alfred filed on a homestead at SE 32-75-8-W6. He lived there for some years before selling his land and moving to Vancouver, where he married his boyhood sweetheart and raised a family.
Sources: Buffalo Trails p. 225
Barr, David
Regimental Number: 812178
Rank: Private
Branch: 138th Battalion; 128th Battalion; 49th Battalion
David Barr was born on July 23, 1889 in New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. He came to the Peace country in 1914 and homesteaded in the Sexsmith area, on the SW34-73-5-W6. Dave joined the army in 1915 and was killed in action on April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge.
Grave Reference: I.V. A. 9.
Cemetery: Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 153, 1147, 1151
Barratt, William
Regimental Number: 505597; 5170
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Canadian Army Service Corps
William was born in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England on November 18, 1876. In 1915, he filed on SW 31-70-6-W6. He was married and had three children. On July 5, 1916, William enlisted in the Canadian Army, stating that he was a widower. It seems that he was turned away at this time, but reenlisted on November 11, 1916. William served only in Canada and was discharged on November 21, 1917, having been found medically unfit (likely due to his age). William died on September 3, 1928.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 411; Aug. 26, 1913 p. 1 c. 3; April 13, 1915 p. 1 c. 5
Barrette, Harold Louis
Regimental Number: 3213099
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion; Canadian War Graves Detachment
Harold Barrette was born in Superior, Wisconsin on July 13, 1896. He came to Canada in 1915 and was drafted in March of 1918. Harold died in his home east of Sexsmith on December 15, 1941.
Basly, Gabriel
Regimental Number: 1156
Rank: Soldier 1st Class
Branch: 17th Company of the 302 Infantry Regiment; 311 Infantry Regiment; 255 Infantry Regiment
Gabriel Basly was born on March 28, 1885 in Gennevilliers (Seine-St. Denis), France.
Young men in France were required to serve in the army for three years, so in 1906 at the age of 21, Gaby enlisted in an infantry unit at Caen. When he immigrated to Canada in 1907 he notified the French Government about his move and inquired about his army status. Gaby took out a homestead in Big Valley, Alberta, about 67 km east of Innisfail.
In August 1914, Gaby was informed by the French Consulate that he should report for mobilization with his army corps, so with several other young men from Big Valley who were also French, he made his way back to France to “save the motherland.” He was placed in the 17th Company of the 302 Infantry Regiment, and in August-September of 1914 fought in the Battle of Lorraine, which was a disaster for the French. During the next year, the 302 Regiment lost so many of its soldiers that it was dissolved and Gaby was moved to the 311 Infantry Regiment, just in time to fight in the Battle of Verdun (June 1916), where he served as a message carrier.
It was in the Battle of Verdun that Gaby earned his “Croix de Guerre,” an award for bravery. The citation reads, “Basly, Gabriel No. 1156, of 7075 13th Comp. has assured communications with the company, with the greatest disdain for danger under a bombardment of the most violent kind during attacks on the 15th, 16th and 17th of June 1916.”
Again, because of heavy losses, Gaby was transferred again to the 255 Infantry Regiment, which is the number that appears on his uniform, and in April 1917, he was granted permission to travel back to Canada on a three-week leave.
Gaby never went back to the war. He settled back into farming, and in 1926 headed for Grande Prairie to start a new life.
Gaby died on May 4, 1966 at the age of 80 years. He is buried in the Grande Prairie Municipal Cemetery.
Sources: Along the Wapiti p. 243
Bass, George Wesley
Regimental Number: 624678
Rank: Private
Branch: 151st Battalion; 50th Battalion; 9th Reserve Battalion; 176th Tunneling Company Royal Engineers
George was born on January 11, 1882 in Linwood, Ontario. He came over the Edson Trail in 1911. George enlisted in the army in 1916 and spent six months working with the Engineers digging a tunnel under Vimy Ridge. On April 13, 1917, when the men went over the top, George got a slight bullet wound in his side and arm. He was sent to England for attention. George returned to the trenches, where the damp cold brought on rheumatism. On March 30, 1918 he was given an honorable discharge (In accordance with HQ 16-1-21-3 of 21/10/17 having been placed in category CII as a result of sickness, specifically myalgic and rheumatic pain, and flat feet.). He came back to work on his Kleskun Hill homestead in 1920, after spending some time with his sister and her family in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. On June 9, 1926 George married Florence Druce of Totteridge, England. He met her while on leave. George died of cancer on June 30, 1960.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 255
Bateman, Alfred Earl
Regimental Number: 551309
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Cavalry Brigade
Alfred was born in Thamesville, Ontario on July 31, 1893. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in Moosomin, Saskatchewan in December of 1914. On November 1, 1917, Alfred suffered from gunshot wounds to his right thigh and a fractured femur. He was invalided to Canada in July of 1918 as a result. On September 17, 1918, Alfred was discharged, having been found medically unfit due to his wounds; he walked with a limp and had to use cane. In 1919, Alfred filed on the southern half of 18-80-7-W6.
See pages 66 and 67 of Alfred's service file for family details on the separation allowance form filled out by Alfred's mother.
Bates, John Thomas
John was born in Manitoba, ca. 1897. He came to Clairmont in 1919 and operated the grain elevator. In 1923, he filed on SE 9-73-7-W6. John and his wife lived there until 1927.
Sources: Buffalo Trails p. 117
Bean, Arthur
Arthur was born in England ca. 1885. He served in the British army during the war and came over from Yorkshire in 1926 and settled in Richmond Hill. Arthur was found dead in his barn in May of 1938.
Source: Peggy Mair article, 2006
Beauchamp, Candide
Candide came to Falher in 1916. He was drafted into the army. Candide died in 1972.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 99 & 183; Guy p. 146
Beaupre, Donat Joseph
Regimental Number: 3213071
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion
Donat was born in Yamaska, Quebec on January 4, 1896. He came to settle in Falher in 1916, and was drafted into the army in December of 1917. He died in McLennan on December 21, 1983.
Beaupre, George
Regimental Number: 811122; 506682
Rank: Acting Corporal
Branch: 233rd Battalion; Canadian Engineers
George was born in St. Alphonse, Quebec on February 5, 1888. In 1915, he filed on a homestead at NE 6-78-20-W5. George first enlisted in the Canadian Army on October 13, 1915; a second attestation paper with the same regimental number is dated December 7, 1915. According to his service file, George was discharged on December 6, 1915, as he was "not likely to become an efficient soldier." A third service file with a new regimental number is dated January 1, 1917. George was declared a deserter on January 16, 1917.
Beckett, Walter George
Regimental Number: 5849
Rank: Gunner
Branch: Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Walter was born in Aldershot, England on June 25, 1887. It is unknown when he first came to Canada, but he enlisted in the Canadian Army at Valcartier on September 23, 1914. At the time, his father was living at the Bell Inn in Cullompton, England (see link for a photograph). On October 14, 1915, Walter married Ada. They came to the South Peace in 1919 and filed on SW 34-70-6-W6.
Belcourt, Gordon
Regimental Number: 101096
Rank: Private
Branch: 9th Reserve Battalion; 49th Battalion, Alberta Regiment, Canadian Infantry
Gordon was born in Lac St. Anne to Magloire and Constance Letendre, some of the early Metis settlers to this area. Gordon signed up for WWI from Lake Saskatoon on July 17, 1915, at the time he owned land on the outskirts of Flying Shot Lake. He joined the 49th Regiment and left for France in April of 1916. At the time of enlistment he is listed as 23 years old standing 5 feet 7 inches tall. On Sept 28, 1915 he put in a request to be transferred from the 9th Reserve Battalion to the 49th. Gordon was wounded in June 1916 (shell or shrapnel wounds to his left side and leg) at the Battle of Mount Sorrel, which was a prelude to the Somme offensive. He was transported to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station hospital where he died on June 4, 1916 from the wounds he received. Gordon is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. His grave marker is inscribed with "Ave Maria for this brave son of Canada."
Sources: Find-A-Grave; The First Metis: A New Nation by Dr. Anne Anderson
Belford, Joseph Walter
Regimental Number: 718771
Rank: Private
Branch: 107th Battalion
Joseph was born in Brighton, Ontario on November 25, 1871. He and his wife Maria Jane and their four children were living in Kelwood, Manitoba at the time of his enlistment in March of 1916. Joseph, already well into his forties, complained of being easily tired, shortness of breath, and various other symptoms (see page 11 of his service file). He was discharged on November 12, 1918. In 1928, the family came to the South Peace, where Joseph filed on the western half of 31-72-26-W5. Joseph died on February 4, 1956.
Sources: Across the Smoky p. 63; number of news clippings
Bell, George
Regimental Number:
George came to the Peace country in 1911 from Agincourt, Ontario.
Source: Buffalo Trails p. 44 & 45
Bell, James
Regimental Number: 101472
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion, Alberta Regiment, Canadian Infantry
James was born on October 23, 1884 in Dundee, Scotland. In 1914, he filed on homesteads at NW 5-74-7-W6 and SW 6-74-7-W6. James was killed in action at Ypres on July 15, 1916 and buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground in Belgium.
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Killed in action (May 22, 1917)
- Mention of death in Don Innes's letter (Nov. 1, 1916)
- Biography (1934)
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Reported Location of Grave
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Bell, John Herbert
Regimental Number: 3211460
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 13th Canadian Garrison Regiment
John was born on February 5, 1895 in Preston, Lancashire, England. He filed on a homestead at 24-71-11-W6 in the Halcourt area. John was drafted in May of 1918, near the end of the war, and never made it overseas.
Bell, Roy Neil
Regimental Number: 506663
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: Canadian Engineers
Roy was born in Michigan on on April 24, 1894. In 1915, he filed on a homestead at NW 7-71-9-W6. Roy enlisted in the Canadian Army in December of 1916. In August of 1918, he forfeited fourteen days' pay for refusing to parade when ordered to do so. Roy was granted permission to marry Harriet in October of 1918.
Bennett, Andrew Havelock
Regimental Number: 742092
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Forestry Corps
Andrew was born in Alma, New Brunswick on December 31, 1873. He and his wife Mary Emma were living in St. John, New Brunswick when Andrew enlisted in the Canadian Army in December of 1915. They had five children. In June of 1916 while training in Nova Scotia, Andrew tripped in a hole while on a parade and wrenched his left knee. It was at this time that doctors noticed he had a cyst or tumor on his knee. It was surgically removed. Andrew also suffered from myalgia caused by the dampness in the trenches. Andrew's service file notes that he once forfeited 18 days pay for "creating a disturbance in mess and for being drunk on parade." Andrew and Mary came west after Andrew was discharged and filed on homesteads at SW 14-74-3-W6 and SW 15-74-3-W6.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 1147
Bennington, Harry
Regimental Number: 101236
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
Harry was born on August 21, 1888 in Bronté, Ontario. He joined the army in September 1915 to serve in World War I. Harry received a gunshot wound in his right knee on September 18, 1916.
Bennington, R.A.
Regimental Number:
Bentley, Thomas Wesley
Regimental Number: 101264
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 102nd Machine Gun Battalion
Wesley was born in Smith Falls, Ontario on February 17, 1894. He had a homestead near Bezanson. Wesley was wounded at the battle of Courcelette on October 31, 1916. He received a gunshot wound in right thigh, as well as shrapnel wounds. A number of surgeries were performed in attempt to fix internal damage the wounds caused. He was discharged in 1917 and returned to Grande Prairie in October of that year. Wesley reattested in January of 1918. Seven months later, he was discharged again as being physically unfit. He died in March of 1957.
Sources: Grande Prairie Capitol of the Peace p. 13, 113; Pioneers of the Peace p. 176, 190, 208, 219
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Photograph (1912)
- Photograph (1913)
- Photograph (1914)
- Enlists (Sept. 7, 1915)
- Mention in A. Brotherston's letter (Jan. 9, 1917)
- Letter (Jan. 23, 1917)
- Wounded in action (Feb. 13, 1917)
- Returns to Grande Prairie (Oct. 9, 1917)
- Biography (1934)
- Boys Who Went Overseas
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
Berard, Francois
Regimental Number: 3206822
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion; Canadian War Graves Detachment
Francois was born in Sorel, Quebec on November 3, 1884. He arrived in Falher in 1913 and took up a homestead. He was drafted into the army toward the end of the war, and stayed in France for a year after the war ended to help rebuild. Francois died in Peace River on February 5, 1977.
Source: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 191-192
Berg, Ole Theodore
Regimental Number: 3213216
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 21st Reserve Battalion; Canadian Army Medical Corps, 16 Canadian General Hospital
Ole was born in Bardu, Norway on July 17, 1892. He was the fifth of eleven children born to Petra and Bersvend. Ole immigrated to Canada in 1912 and arrived in Grande Prairie in 1914. He filed on two homesteads north of La Glace, 27-74-8-W6 at 24-74-8-W6. Ole died in July of 1966.
Sources: La Glace Yesterday and Today p. 201 & 313; Buffalo Trails p. 47; Bardu Kommune (Municipality) in Norway
Bernard, George Dillon
Regimental Number: 3210577
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
George was born in Quebec on May 20, 1896. He was drafted in May of 1918, but though he shipped to England, George never saw action at the front lines. He died of influenza at No. 12 Canadian General Hospital, Bramshott, on November 4, 1918.
Bernard, Louis
Regimental Number:
Rank: Gunner
Branch: 79th Battalion
Louis was born in Pigeon Lake, Manitoba on October 16, 1897. He joined up in 1914 and was one of the survivors of Vimy Ridge. Louis married Mabel Adams on September 20, 1922, and they came to the Peace country in the late 1920s. He filed on NW 8-80-7-W6 and SE 8-80-7-W6. Louis died on January 3, 1984.
Sources: Chepi-Sepe p.182 & 279; The Big Bend p. 29
Bessent, Herbert Gordon
Regimental Number: 2115567
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Army Service Corps; Canadian Engineers Motor Transport Company
Herbert was born in Gillingham, England on April 11, 1895. In 1948 he received a commemorative medallion as a reminder of his part in the liberation of Mons in World War I. Herbert was a dispatch rider in the CEMT and entered Mons a few hours after the liberation. He died in Grande Prairie in January of 1957. A park in Grande Prairie was named after him in 2014.
Sources: Grande Prairie Legion Album
Bice, Cecil Alexander
Regimental Number: 3133494
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 83rd Engineer Crew Company, Canadian Railway Troops
Cecil Bice was born in Ailsa Craig, Ontario on December 4, 1894. He settled in Belloy in 1919 and worked for the ED&BC Railway. Cecil married Mary Francis McDaid, who had immigrated from Ireland. They had three children. Sadly, Mary died after the birth of the youngest daughter, Virginia. Cecil hired a housekeeper, Grace Reid, who came when Virginia was ten months old. Cecil and Grace later married and had three children. In 1931 the Bice family relocated to Rahab (later Codesa) and started farming. Cecil died in 1952.
Sources: Smoky Peace Triangle p.134-135
Bigg, Spencer
Regimental Number: VR-5372
Rank: Able Seaman
Branch: Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
Spencer was the son of William Bigg of Borley Place, Sudbury, Suffolk, England. He owned a quarter section at 33-70-12-W6, west of Rio Grande. During World War I he served in the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve, on board the HMCS Arleux. He died on October 10, 1918.
Sources: homestead record
Binley, Thomas Nathaniel
Regimental Number: 7816
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment
Thomas was born in Leicester, England on June 7, 1884. During World War I, he served in England's Leicestershire Regiment (1st Battalion). He had previously worked as a house painter. On March 5, 1915, Thomas married Edith Alice Munday "within British lines" in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Thomas filed on the northern half of 24-73-10-W6 in 1918. He died in Toronto on August 31, 1965.
Birch, George Henry
Regimental Number: 2240308
Rank: Sapper
Branch: Independent Railway Construction Company; 6th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
George Birch was born on November 14, 1893 in Rosedale, Manitoba. He enlisted in the army during World War I, and served his country again in World War II. In 1920 he married Mary Violet Attree. The family moved to Donnelly in 1928. George died in 1970.
Source: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 192
Bjornson, Otto Johan
Regimental Number: 101072
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 66th Battalion; 2nd Canadian Division, Machine Gun Corps
Otto was born in Ellbok, Sweden on April 9, 1879. He was killed in action on October 9, 1918 by a gunshot wound in the back.
Black, Harold Hugh
Regimental Number: 101287
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 66th Battalion; 21st Battalion; 31st Battalion
Harold Hugh Black was born in Fergus, Ontario in 1891. Along with his brother Hubert John Black, he came to the Peace country in 1913, and they settled in Halcourt. In September of 1915, Harold, Hubert, and their neighbour Gordon Moyer walked more than forty kilometers from their homesteads to Lake Saskatoon to enlist. Out of the three men, only Harry was accepted at the time. Hubert was too slender and Gordon had flat feet (it is interesting that they were declared unfit for service, considering the distance they had just walked); however, both were drafted in the 1917 conscription.
Harry embarked for England on April 28, 1916 and arrived there on May 7. In June, he was transferred from the 66th Battalion to the 31st, and shortly thereafter landed in France. In October he was promoted to Corporal. About a year after his promotion, Corporal Black was granted leave in England, and on November 6, 1917, shortly after returning to action, he sustained a gun shot wound to the scalp at Passchendaele. He remained in the hospital for twelve weeks before being discharged to duty on January 28, 1918. Harry returned to France in May and it wasn’t long before he took another bullet, this one in his right shoulder and in the midst of a valiant act that earned him a Military Medal. The citation in his battalion’s war diary reads like this:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Rosieres on the morning of August 9th, 1918 – This N.C.O. utterly regardless of personal danger, rushed a machine gun post which was holding up his section, killing two of the enemy and making several prisoners. Later was wounded, not being able to reach the post he crawled up close and succeeded in dropping several bombs into the post, putting it out of action, thus allowing his platoon to move forward.”
Following this act of bravery, Corporal Black spent about five weeks in the Military Convalescent Hospital at Epsom. The war ended not long after he had recovered from the wound, but before returning home he was also briefly posted to a concentration camp in England.
Corporal Harold Black was discharged in London, Ontario on January 30, 1919. He did not arrive in Canada in good health, and contracted tuberculosis only a few months after his return, probably as a result of having been severely gassed during the war. Harry took up residence at the Central Alberta Sanitarium (now Baker Park) in Calgary, where he died of a sudden hemorrhage on April 10, 1923 at 31 years of age. He is buried in the family plot at Belsyde Cemetery in Fergus, Ontario.
Source: Edson to Grande Prairie Trail p. 187; Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 330
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Reported wounded in action (November 1917)
- Awarded Military Medal (November 28, 1918)
- Obituary (April 1923)
- Card of Thanks (April 1923)
- Military Medal Citation
- Citation
- Blog Post
- Grave Marker
- Fergus County, Ontario Cenotaph - Remembrance Day 1935
Black, Hubert John
Regimental Number: 3206488
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 31st Battalion
Hubert was born in Fergus, Ontario on September 17, 1886. He and his brother Harry came to the Peace country in 1913 and settled in Halcourt. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, both brothers and neighbor Gordon Moyer walked forty miles to Grande Prairie to enlist. Hubert was turned down for being too slender. Several years later, in 1918, he was drafted into the army. Hubert received numerous shrapnel wounds on October 9, 1918 and spent some months in a hospital in England. He returned to his homestead after he was discharged. In 1929, Hubert returned to Fergus and on February 16 married Emma Mills. They came back to Halcourt, where they lived until 1945, at which time they moved to Aldergrove, BC. Hubert died in 1968.
Source: Edson Trail to Grande Prairie Trail p. 187; Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 330
Black, William
Regimental Number:
Blair, John
Regimental Number:
Sources: Where the Red Willow Grew p. 303; Along the Wapiti p. 411
Blake, Gilbert
Regimental Number: 79173
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: 31st Battalion; 21st Reserve Battalion; Canadian Forestry Corps
Gilbert was born in Stanton Harcourt, England on October 1, 1885. Before serving in World War I, he had served with the Oxford Yeomanry Troops for three years. As an officer, he was frequently transferred to different units for temporary duty and was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's dispatch April 9, 1917. Gilbert was married to Edith H. Blake.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1146, 1147; Grande Prairie Capitol of the Peace p. 98
Blanchard, Fred
Regimental Number: 101077
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 7th Canadian Area Employment Company
Fred was born in Hampshire, England on March 6, 1862. He joined the British navy in 1878 and served for nine years. His first military service was in Egypt in 1882. Fred first came to the Peace country in 1909 and settled in Lake Saskatoon with his wife Emily and their family. In 1915, Fred went to Edmonton to join up. He lied about his age, writing 1870 as the year of his birth. He celebrated his 55th birthday in the trenches, and was discharged in 1918 before the end of the war. Fred died on March 15, 1930 and was buried with full military honors in the Soldiers' Plot at Hope, British Columbia.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 33, 34; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 9-10, 30, 37, 101-102, 106, 219, 250, 253
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Photograph (1915)
- Enlists (July 27, 1915)
- On Leave (Feb. 22, 1916)
- Mention in F. Longair's letter (Aug. 8, 1916)
- Mention in Tommy Watson's letter (Dec. 12, 1916)
- Mention in Jim McDonald's letter (Feb. 13, 1917)
- Celebrates 55th birthday in the trenches (March 6, 1917)
- Returns home (Jan. 17, 1918)
- Returns home (January 18, 1918 - Lake Saskatoon Journal)
- Blog Post
- Boys Who Went Overseas
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
Blanchard, Stephen Edward
Regimental Number: 186024
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 90th Battalion; 6th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops; 228th Battalion
Stephen was born in London, England in 1894. He married his wife Lizzie in Grande Prairie in 1928. They had come to the area from Miami, Manitoba. Three of their five children were born during the five years they lived in the Peace country. In 1933 they returned to Miami. Steve passed away on November 12, 1970.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 330
Blary
Regimental Number:
Blois, Leonard Erle
Regimental Number: 321695/231695
Rank: Private
Branch: 202nd Battalion; 31st Battalion
Leonard was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 30, 1895. Prior to his service in World War I, he had served in the 63rd Royal Halifax Rifles. He came to the Peace Country in 1916 to look for land, but the weather was not favorable for farming that year and instead, he enlisted in the army in June of that year. He received a gunshot wound in his right arm on August 12, 1918, and a minor gunshot wound to his head on October 11, 1918. After the war, in 1921, Leonard married Gudrun Lee and they lived near Carstairs until 1948 when the family returned to the Peace Country.
Sources: Grooming the Grizzly p. 264
Blonke, John
Regimental Number: 2382745
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Forestry Corps
John was born in Russia on January 26, 1897. He was living in Brown, Manitoba when he was drafted in 1918; having been drafted so late in the war, he served only in England. According to his service file, John's lower jaw was fractured on May 30, 1919 while fighting a civilian in Scotland (the civilian assaulted him). John came to the Crystal Creek area in 1928 and bought Henry Fortier's land. In 1942, he married Kathleen Stelfox. John died in 1972 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: Grande Prairie Cemetery; Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 87
Bloomfield, Charles Henry
Regimental Number: 808542
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 137th Battalion; 50th Battalion; 31st Reserve Battalion
Charles was born in Chester, England on October 4, 1884. At the time of his enlistment in February of 1916, he was farming in Hutton, Alberta. Charles was wounded in action twice; he received a gunshot wound to the head in May of 1917, and shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder in October of 1917. A month later he was awarded the military medal for "bravery in the field." In August of 1918, bricks fell on Charles's right shoulder and he was injured yet again. According to a doctor's report the following month, "he has been slow in response to treatment because he has not been anxious to get along." In November of 1918 Charles was granted permission to marry, though his pay had been going to his wife, Rosa Dorothy Heath, for some time before that. The couple had two sons, Gordon and Donald. According to Rosa's obituary (September 1984), she and Charles had come to Grande Prairie in 1956. Not long after that, on June 2, 1957, Charles died and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Source: headstone; Rosa's obituary
Boast, William
William was born in Norfolk, England between 1871 and 1873. He was married to Anna Collison (sister of Christian Collison, another South Peace soldier), who was born on November 14, 1875. William and Anna had two daughters, Gladys Maud (born in Norfolk in March of 1899) and Hilda May, born ca. 1901. William served in the British Army during World War I. In 1919, he filed on homesteads at SW 28-78-20-W5 and NE 20-78-20-W5. On his application, he listed his occupation as surveyor.
Bockus, Forrest
Regimental Number: 3206489
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment; 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Forrest was born in Mystic, Quebec on January 1, 1894. He came west and filed on a homestead at 9-70-11-W6, in the Halcourt district. Forrest was drafted in January of 1918, but though he shipped overseas to England, the war had ended before he saw active duty at the front lines of France.
Bode, Lawrence Elsworth
Regimental Number: 260361
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment
Lawrence was born on September 2, 1897 in Elma, Washington. At the time of his enlistment on May 19, 1918, he was living in Swift Current. His time in the army was short as he was discharged in December that same year. Lawrence died in March of 1969 and was buried in the Emerson Trail cemetery.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p.1147. National Archives WWI
Bohn, Frederick
Regimental Number: 441184
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 53rd Battalion; 32nd Battalion; 5th Battalion; 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion
Fred was born in Rosehill, Manitoba on October 29, 1886. He joined the Canadian forces in 1915. In May of 1916 a shell exploded near him and he received shrapnel wounds to his face and right eye. At this time it was also discovered that he had deformed toes and ingrown toenails, a painful ailment for a soldier. Fred was back in hospital for trench foot in November 1916, and it is noted on his medical records that he was very pale and suffering from fainting spells. On September 14, 1918, Fred was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Toward the end of the war, he volunteered to go to northern Russia, and it was late summer 1919 before he returned to Canada. At that time Fred came up to the LaGlace area and purchased SW 10-74-8-6. While in England, Fred had met Agnes Gibson, an English girl, during the war and the couple was married in January 1921 in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the home of Agnes's uncle. They returned to the farm in LaGlace. Fred died in LaGlace in April of 1968.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 1147; LaGlace Yesterday and Today p.65; Buffalo Trails p. 206, 261
Bond, Walter
Regimental Number: 859333
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 179th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada; 43rd Battalion; Corps of Military Police
Walter Bond was born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 26, 1898. He came to Canada in 1911 to live with friends in Saskatchewan. In 1915 he enlisted in the Canadian army and served as a military policeman. At one time he was the Middle Weight Champion of the army. He returned to Canada after the war and married Edith Bolingbroke in Saskatchewan. The couple moved to the south Peace and settled near Beaverlodge. Walter served as the first Dominion Land Sub-Agent at Beaverlodge in 1925. Over the years, he also worked as a machine agent, postmaster, and mayor of Beaverlodge. Walter and Edith moved to Victoria in 1959 to retire. Walter died on July 21, 1966.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p.89
Bondar, Steve
Regimental Number:
Branch: Polish Army
Steve was born in Mala, Poland on September 7, 1897. He served in the Polish army and was a prisoner of war in Germany for three years. Steve immigrated to Canada in 1928, and arrived in Spirit River in 1929 to file on a homestead. In 1930, he married Eva Sczerbiak. The couple separated in 1951 and Steve moved to Edmonton. He returned to Grande Prairie in 1973 and died in Spirit River in August of 1986.
Sources: The Big Bend p.149
Bondarenko, Nick
Regimental Number: 2542315
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Forestry Corps
Nick was born in Tarashcha, Russia on February 9, 1893. He came over the Edson Trail to the Peace country in 1913 and filed on a homestead at SW 16-74-6-6. He enlisted in the Canadian in army in 1917. Nick died in Grande Prairie on March 13, 1964.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p.1147; Buffalo Trails p. 154; Pioneers of the Peace p. 289
Bonin, Eduard
Regimental Number: 436530
Rank: Private
Branch: 51st Battalion; 1st Canadian Labour Battalion
Eduard was born in Montreal, Quebec on November 25, 1866, though he lied about his age on his Attestation Paper, stating that he had been born in 1872. Eduard took a homestead in Leduc in 1893. In 1915 he enlisted in the army. Eduard received gunshot wounds to his right arm at Ypres, most likely in the Battle of Mont Sorrel, on June 13, 1916. He was discharged on July 20, 1918, having been wounded once again. Eduard was married to Lizzie, but by the time of the war, they were separated. The couple had eight children, five boys and three girls between the ages of 13 and 27. After the war, he settled in Teepee Creek (SW 2-74-3-6) where he lived until the end of his life. Eduard died in an Edmonton hospital on June 15, 1940 and was buried in the Soldier's Plot in an Edmonton cemetery.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 1147 & 876
Bonnamour, Jean
Regimental Number: 7788
Rank: Sergeant Major
Branch: French Army, 11th Artillery Regiment
Jean was born on June 18, 1896 in southern France, near the Spanish border, and grew up in Passy, a town 24 km from Paris. When he completed his education, he planned a trip to Canada and arrived in Quebec in April 1914. He came to McLennan, but in 1915 was called to serve in the French Army and so he returned to his homeland. Jean fought in the Battle of Verdun. He eventually returned to the south Peace and married Eva Pelletier. Jean died on February 13, 1988.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p. 199
Booth, Franklin
Regimental Number: 432627
Rank: Regimental Sergeant Major
Branch: 49th Battalion
Franklin was born in Leeds, England on February 5, 1887. At the time of his enlistment in January of 1915, Franklin and his wife Lucie were living in Edmonton. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. It is unknown when Franklin and Lucie came to Grande Prairie, but Franklin died on May 12, 1964 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: Grande Prairie Cemetery
Bordts, William
Regimental Number: 1010269
Rank: Private
Branch: 229th Battalion; 19th Reserve Battalion; 15th Reserve Battalion;124th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps
William was born in Wyndette, Michigan on January 29, 1889. At the time of the war, he was living in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and he enlisted in the army in 1916. He eventually settled in the Peace country on 10-80-8-6.
Sources: The Big Bend, p. 256
Borgeson, Elmer (Hjalmar)
Regimental Number: 3215646
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
Elmer was born in Frinnesos (Frillesås?), Sweden on June 23, 1888. He and his brothers, Ivar and Alfred, came to Valhalla from the United States in 1916 and filed on a homestead at 25-74-10-W6. Elmer was drafted in 1918, but was arrested as a "Group 2 Defaulter" on October 25, 1918, the day he signed up. He left the area in 1922 or 1923 to work at the Ford Assembly Plant in Detroit and never returned.
Source: Pioneer Round-Up p. 454
Bosberg, F.
Regimental Number:
Bosser, Jean Marie
Jean was born in Finistère, Brittany, France ca. 1886. In 1912, he immigrated to Spirit River and filed on SW 20-78-5-W6. However, at the start of World War I, Jean was called to serve in the French Army. He returned to his homestead after the war and remained there until 1958, when he sold his land to Sam Boudreault, his hired hand. Jean died ca. 1960 at the age of 74.
Sources: Wheatfields and Wildflowers p. 149
Bostock Brothers
Regimental Number:
Boulanger, Joseph Alfred Alphonse
Regimental Number: 101385
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion
Joseph was born in Saint Georges, Beauce County, Quebec on January 29, 1888. When the war began, he and his wife, Rose Alma, were living in Grande Prairie. Joseph enlisted in the Canadian army on September 27, 1915 and was discharged on December 9, 1915, having been deemed "medically unfit for further service," though there is no record of his having been wounded in action.
Bourquin, Paul
Regimental Number:
Branch: French Army, Canadian Army
Paul was born in France and immigrated to Canada with his family. He came out west in 1913 and filed on a homestead at NE 24-78-22-5. When the war began, Paul was called to join the French army. He requested to be transferred to the Canadian army. The request was granted, but Paul was killed in action not long after.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace p.204
Bousfield, William
Regimental Number: 101350
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion; 9th Reserve Battalion; 21st Reserve Battalion
William was born in Burnley, England on February 12, 1895. He immigrated to Canada and farmed in the south Peace until he enlisted in the Canadian army in 1915. On September 16, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, William received a gunshot wound to his right thigh. He spent three months in hospital. He was also wounded in the left hand on October 3, 1918. William was granted permission to marry on August 8, 1917 and returned to Grande Prairie in 1919 with his English bride, Mary.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 347
Bowen, Constable
Regimental Number:
Sources: Grande Prairie Capitol of the Peace p. 48, 50, 123
Bowen, Sylvester
Regimental Number: 904633
Rank: Private
Branch: 194th Battalion
Sylvester was born in Middleburg, Pennsylvania on August 17, 1872. He came to farm in Grande Prairie with his parents. At the time of his enlistment on March 13, 1916, Sylvester was a widower. He was discharged on June 5, 1916 for being medically unfit.
Bowen, Walter Edward
Regimental Number: 102729
Rank: Private
Branch: 67th Battalion; Canadian Forestry Corps
Walter was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales on February 18, 1882. It is unknown when he came to Canada, but he enlisted in the Canadian Army in Victoria, BC in September of 1915. Walter was badly gassed in 1917 and suffered from flat feet. In 1928, he filed on the northern half of 3-72-9-W6 in 1928. Walter never married, and remained on his farm until his death in September of 1958.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 484
Boyd, Benjamin Wellington
Regimental Number: 101246
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion, Alberta Regiment, Canadian Infantry
Benjamin was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Boyd on February 21, 1891 in Arundel, Quebec. Ben and his brother Joe worked for the Bell Telephone Company in 1909, constructing the main line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. They arrived in Beaverlodge in 1910 and wrote to their mother, Elizabeth Boyd Loudfoot (who had been twice widowed) to come out with her younger sons. Ben filed on SE 10-71-8-W6 on August 16, 1910. He proved up and enlisted in 1914. Ben received a shrapnel wound in his thumb on August 18, 1916 and less than two months later was killed in action at Courcelette on October 9, 1916. He is remembered at the Vimy Memorial in Pas-de-Calais, France.
Sources: Along the Wapiti p. 406; Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 103; Pioneers of the Peace p. 89
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Mention of death in Jim McDonald's letter (Feb. 13, 1917)
- Memorial Notice (October 11, 1917)
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Reported Location of Grave
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Boyd, Joseph Robert
Regimental Number: 101217
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
Joseph was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Boyd on January 15, 1884 in Arundel, Quebec. Joe and his brother Ben worked for the Bell Telephone Company in 1909, constructing the main line from Winnipeg to Edmonton. They arrived in Beaverlodge in 1910 and wrote to their mother, Elizabeth Boyd Loudfoot (who had been twice widowed) to come out with her younger sons. Joe filed on SW 10-71-8-W6 on May 26, 1910. He joined the Canadian forces in 1915 and was wounded overseas - first in the left shoulder on August 16, 1916 and again in the left hand on October 30, 1917 (both were gunshot wounds). He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on September 10, 1918, and in December of 1918, Joe's mother received word that he had been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on the battlefield. Joe married Edith Cassidy, a Lake Saskatoon schoolteacher, in February of 1920. The couple later moved to Prince George, BC, where Joe went into the lumber business. He died in 1965.
Source: Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 103, 198; Along the Wapiti p. 406; Pioneers of the Peace p. 89
Boyn, George Robert
Regimental Number: 2329538
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Forestry Corps
George was born in Pugwash, Nova Scotia in 1896. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in May of 1917. In September of that year, he was appointed a millwright with pay. George forfeited one day's pay for wasting government rations in December of 1917. In 1927, he filed on SE 6-72-8-W6; he filed on SW 31-71-8-W6 the following year. George died on December 18, 1977.
Bradley, Captain
Regimental Number:
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 411
Bradley, Charlie
Regimental Number:
Sources: Along the Wapiti p. 411
Bradley, Frederick
Regimental Number: 1009445
Rank: Sapper; Driver
Branch: 229th Overseas Battalion; 10th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Frederick was born in Rougham, Suffolk, England on February 10, 1892. He enlisted in the Canadian Army on January 6, 1916 and served in France, where he was slightly wounded in the leg. He sprained his ankle in September 1917 while on duty at Shoreham Camp by tripping over a stone in the dark. Fred returned to Rouleau, Saskatchewan after the war. In the late 1920s, Fred and his brother Herb came to the Peace country and purchased E 25-72-8-W6. They farmed together for many years. Fred died on August 30, 1965 in the Grande Prairie Hospital.
Sources: Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 104
Bradley, Herb
Regimental Number:
Rank:
Branch: British Army
Herb Bradley was born in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England in 1898. In order to join the British army, he lied about his age. Herb first served in World War I until 1918, then joined the British overseas force in India, where he spent four years. In the late 1920s, Herb and his brother Fred came to the Peace country and purchased E 25-72-8-W6. They farmed together for many years. Herb was known for his good housekeeping, even baking his own bread and canning fruit. Herb died in Wembley in 1977.
Sources: Lake Saskatoon Reflection p. 104; Along the Wapiti p. 411; see surname file (January 27, 1966 news clipping - returns to England)
Bramme, Francois
Branch: French Army
Place of Birth: France
Francois was born in France. His stepfather provided Francois with the money he needed to purchase a farm in the Peace country, where he lived near his friends, the Bremonts. When the war started, Francois was called to serve in the French army. He spent only a few years in the area.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace, p.204
Brasnett, Ernest Hugh
Regimental Number: 100854
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 9th Reserve Battalion; 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles
Ernest was born in Norfolk, England on November 20, 1890 and was a surveyor by trade. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in Edmonton in July of 1915. Ernest received a gunshot wound to his left elbow in October 1916 at the Somme. He was discharged on November 30, 1917 because of flat feet.
Bremont, Arthur
Branch: French Army
Arthur was born in Somme-Vesle, France on August 8, 1887. In 1912, he left for Canada to begin a new life and in December of that year arrived at his homestead near Falher. When the war began, Arthur returned to France to join the French army. He fought in the Battle of Verdun. After the war, Arthur spent a year in his native village of Somme-Vesle to rest and recover. During this time he met Lucienne Despres and they were married on March 9, 1920. They left France three weeks later and moved back to Falher. The couple retired to Victoria, where Arthur died in 1967.
Sources: By the Peavine in the Smoky of the Peace, p. 206
Brennan, Edwin
Regimental Number:
Sources: Guy p. 225
Notes: Settled in Guy. Served in the Boer War and WWI. Land NE 9-7-21-W5 and NW 10-76-21-W5. Came from British Isles
Brewer, Charles Thomas
Regimental Number: 181162
Rank: Private
Branch: 88th Battalion; 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion; 29th Battalion
Charles was born in Moore, New Zealand on May 5, 1876. He went to England and there met and married Rose Mitchum in 1895. They came to Canada and lived for a time in Ontario, before moving on to Vancouver. When the war broke out, Charles and his two eldest sons joined up and went overseas. Rose did Red Cross work as a nurse’s aid. The family moved to the Peace country after the war and Charles homesteaded on N ½ 12-73-3-W6 near the Smoky River. When the youngest son Wesley and his family moved to Whonnock, BC in 1945, Charles sold his land and moved to be near them. He died on August 1, 1952.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 158
Brewer, Ernest Charles
Regimental Number: 429774
Rank: Private
Branch: 47th Battalion; 30th Reserve Battalion; 16th Battalion
Ernest was born to Charles and Rose Brewer in Ottawa, Ontario on June 30, 1896. The family moved to Vancouver when he was still a child. Ernest, along with his father and brother, went overseas with the Canadian army during World War I. He received a minor gunshot wound in the back in June of 1916. The family moved to the Peace country after the war, though Ernest did not stay long. In 1922, he and his wife Betty and their young son moved to New Jersey.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 158
Brewer, Rose (Mitchum)
Rose Mitchum married Charles Brewer in England in 1895. They came to Canada and lived for a time in Ontario, before moving on to Vancouver. When the war broke out, her husband and two eldest sons joined up and went overseas. Rose did Red Cross work as a nurse’s aid. The family moved to the Peace country after the war and Charles homesteaded on N ½ 12-73-3-W6 near the Smoky River.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie, p. 158
Brewer, Walter Linder
Regimental Number: 911828
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 196th Battalion; 2nd Canadian Labour Battalion (12th Canadian Railway Troops)
Walter was born to Charles & Rose Brewer in Ottawa, Ontario on December 18, 1897. The family moved to Vancouver when he was still a child. Walter, along with his father and brother, went overseas with the Canadian army during World War I. The family moved to the Peace country after the war. Walter did not feel farming was for him, however, and returned to Vancouver. On the way he spent some time in Edmonton, where he met and married his wife Megan.
Sources: Smoky River to Grande Prairie p. 158
Brick, Hiram Allan "Allie"
Regimental Number: 2684243
Rank: Private
Branch: RNWMP
Allie was born on October 23, 1900 in Fort Vermilion. He was underage when he joined the Canadian army and listed his year of birth as 1899. Allie served only in England. By 1923 he was part of the staff at the Land Office in Grande Prairie. Allie married Viola Gordon on October 29, 1925; the couple had four children. Later, in 1933, Allie worked for the provincial government in Peace River. He once again enlisted in the Canadian army during World War II and served from 1941 until 1945. In 1958, Allie began working for the Lands & Mines Department in Edmonton; he kept this position until his retirement in 1965. Allie spent the last nine months of his life in the Mewburn Veteran's Home and died on August 19, 1983 in Edmonton.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 35; see surname file for Herald-Tribune November 4, 1975 (Golden Anniversary); August 3 1983 (Obituary)
Brierly, Philip John
Regimental Number: 63132
Rank: Private
Branch: 13th Canadian Battalion, Quebec Regiment; 14th Battalion
Philip was born in London, England on July 10, 1892. He came to Grande Prairie in 1912 and homesteaded at Five Mile Creek. Philip was among the first to enlist from Grande Prairie - he joined up in November of 1914. He was killed in action on May 20, 1917, and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais, France. Philip's grave marker is inscribed with "Loved by all."
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace, p. 138
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Letter & Poem (Jan. 16, 1917)
- Reported wounded (May 29, 1917)
- Killed in action (Sept. 4, 1917)
- Memorial Service (Sept. 18, 1917)
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Reported Location of Grave
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Briggs, Albert Leopold "Bert"
Regimental Number: 706072
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: 103rd Battalion; 16th Reserve Battalion
Bert was born in Haworth, Yorkshire, England on June 25, 1885. According to British Columbia's divorce records, Bert was married in Seaford, England on February 9, 1917 to a woman named Edith (the marriage was dissolved in 1925). In December 1917, Bert was sent back to Canada because of signs of pulmonary tuberculosis (his mother had died of the same when he was a teenager) and was discharged a few months later. Bert filed on a homestead in the Peace country in 1926, and received the title in 1931. Unfortunately, although he was a good farmer (and accomplished pianist), Bert was in poor health. He died back in England in 1955.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p. 1098 & 1147
Brims, James Alexander
Regimental Number: 175393
Rank: Gunner
James left his home in Thurso, Scotland to come to Grande Prairie in 1910. His homestead was located at 17-72-4 in the Glen Leslie district. From 1914 until about late 1915 James was Kleskun Hill's postmaster. He had served in the British army in the South African War and, as a reservist, went to fight with the British army once again during the First World War. After the war, James moved to Arizona because of his health.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 179, 275
Bristol, Frederick Lawrence
Regimental Number: 487321
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Battalion
Fred was born in Picton, Ontario on March 22, 1876. At the time of his enlistment in the Canadian army in September of 1915, Fred was a widower with three children and was working as a blacksmith, likely living in the Victoria or Vancouver area. At one point he forfeited fourteen days' pay for "careless driving on line of march." Fred filed on a homestead at SE 15-78-24-W5 on February 14, 1920. He later purchased SW 14-78-24-W5 as well. However, Fred did not stay in the South Peace region for long as his service file lists Ontario as his last known address in 1927. Fred died on April 1, 1939.
Source: homestead record
Bristow, William Edward
Regimental Number: 1038002
Rank: Private
Branch: 238th Forestry Battalion
William was born on March 27, 1873 in Hawkesville, Ontario. On September 30, 1903 he married Daisy "Birdie" McKay in her father's home in Spruce Grove. When the war began, William and Birdie were homesteading in Spruce Grove. He owned the first milking machine west of Edmonton but left his dairy to spend four and a half years with the forestry corps in France. After the war he worked as a homestead and timber inspector, a job that took him all over the western provinces, including the Peace River country. William died on March 6, 1954.
Source: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 195
Broad, David
Regimental Number: M17159
David was born in 1899. According to his grave marker, he served in the army (presumably during World War I). His homesteads were located at 14-75-13-W6, 31-74-12-W6, and 3-75-13-W6. David died in 1975 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: GP Cemetery
Broady, J.
Regimental Number:
Broderick, Cyril Aubrey
Regimental Number: 101069
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: 66th Battalion; 9th Reserve Battalion; 21st Reserve Battalion; 31st Battalion
Cyril was born on April 29, 1889 in Tavistock, Devon, England. He came to Spirit River with his parents and siblings in 1912 and filed on a homestead about two miles north of the old townsite. In 1915 Cyril enlisted to serve in the Canadian army. He suffered from shell shock in early 1916; according to his discharge papers he "was in France five months when blown up by shell. No disability, no wounds." Cyril was promoted to Lance Corporal on October 29, 1917. He was shot through the left shoulder on August 9, 1918 at Rosieres. Some of the bone was taken away, and some small pieces of bone continued to break loose later. Cyril could not hold up any weight for any length of time even after shoulder healed. Because of this injury, he was invalided to Canada in March 1919. Cyril died on June 12, 1965.
Source: Chepi Sepe p. 299
Bronson, Jasper Thornton
Regimental Number: 3211313
Rank: Private
Branch: 21st Reserve Battalion
Jasper was born in Lakefield, Ontario on July 16, 1897. He was living in Alix, Alberta when he was drafted in June of 1918. Jasper served only in England. In 1929, he came to the South Peace and filed on NE 10-71-26-W5 and NW 31-78-24-W5.
Brooks, Jack
Regimental Number:
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over, p.1147
Broomfield, Leonard
Regimental Number: 2380495
Rank: Private
Branch: Canadian Forestry Corps
Leonard was born in Winshill, near Burton on Trent, England on April 6, 1892. He came to Manitoba as a young man. Leonard came to the Peace River country in 1921 and filed on homesteads at 72-26-W5, NW 17-26-W5, SW 20-26-W5, and NE 11-41-W6. Leonard died in fall of 1976 and was buried in the DeBolt cemetery.
Sources: Across the Smoky p. 51
Brotherston, Alexander
Regimental Number: 101076
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; Canadian Infantry, 102nd Battalion
Alexander was born to John and Jane Brotherston on June 25, 1889 in Little Groat, Scotland. He was injured during the war and spent some time in an English hospital in late 1916. Alexander was killed in action on June 8, 1917 and is remembered at the Vimy Memorial in Pas-de-Calais, France.
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Enlists (July 27, 1915)
- Letter (Jan. 9, 1917)
- In a rest camp (Feb. 20, 1917)
- Killed in action (Sept. 18, 1917)
- Boys Who Went Overseas
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Brown, Adam
Regimental Number: 207516
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 97th Battalion; 12th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops
Adam was born in Dumfries, Scotland on February 7, 1871. When he was fourteen, he and his parents immigrated to Iowa. Adam studied in Chicago to be a veterinarian and later moved to Airdrie, Alberta. After the war, he settled in the Teepee Creek area (N 1/2-19-74-3-6), where land had been opened for settlement by veterans. His services as a veterinarian were in great demand. After retiring, Adam lived a few years in Sexsmith and died in a nursing home in Edmonton.
Sources: Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 879, 1147
Brown, Alfred
Regimental Number:
Alfred was born in England 1885 and died in 1965.
Sources: Burnt Embers p. 125; Peggy Mair article, 2006; grave marker
Brown, Frank Oliver
Regimental Number: 101067
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
Frank was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on November 3, 1895. He joined up in Edmonton, along with his brother Glenn, in July of 1915 and listed his trade as "homesteader."
Brown, Glenn William
Regimental Number: 101087
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
Glenn was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 19, 1888. He joined up in Edmonton, along with his brother Frank, in July of 1915 and listed his trade as "homesteader." Prior to the first world war, Glenn had served for three years in the American infantry and four years in the navy. His medical records note that part of his left middle finger was missing, having been chopped off with a meat cleaver in 1911, at which time he was in the navy. Glenn suffered from shell shock in September 1916 and was promoted to Lance Corporal on October 23, 1918.
Brown, Herbert Hector
Regimental Number: 904758
Rank: Private
Branch: 194th Battalion; 9th Reserve Battalion; 4th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps; 2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Hector, as he was known, was born in Barrie, Ontario on May 25, 1892. He came to Grande Prairie with his parents and was educated here. He received the Military Medal on November 2, 1917 for bravery in the field. Hector died on April 28, 1949.
Brown, Joseph
Regimental Number: 258738
Rank: Private
Branch: 211th Battalion
Joseph was born in Denver, Colorado on April 17, 1895. He was farming in Spirit River (likely at SW26-77-5-6) when the war started, and enlisted in Edmonton on August 7, 1916. A few months later, on December 4, 1916, Joseph deserted in Calgary.
Brown, Sydney
Regimental Number: 101221
Rank: Sapper
Branch: 66th Battalion; 6th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Sydney was born in Leytonstone, London, England on October 15, 1897. He was a farmer in the Grande Prairie area when the first world war began, and he joined up in Edmonton in September of 1915.
Brown, William Allison "Brownie"
Regimental Number: 629448
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: 47th Battalion; 16th Reserve Battalion; 1st Reserve Battalion
William was born on July 12, 1892 in Hamiota, Manitoba. He joined the army in 1915. At that time he had been surveying on the west coast of BC. William received the Military Medal for bravery (Wagon Trails says at Ypres in 1915, though his service files indicate that the medal was received in 1917 in France). During officer's training in Bexhill, England, he played soccer for the Canadian Army and broke his leg there on December 12, 1917. William had an opportunity to stay in England to play professional soccer, but returned to Canada in 1919. In 1918, William met Melanie Grandsard, a Belgian refugee, who was working as an interpreter for the Rolls Royce Company in Derby. They were married on June 20, 1918 in London. William arrived in Sexsmith in May of 1919 and settled on SW Section 9 in the Mount Star area, and Melanie followed him in August. The couple had one son, Cecil Robert, and one daughter, Delphine. William once again joined the army in 1940 and was discharged in 1947 with the rank of major. He died on February 7, 1977.
Sources: Pioneers of the Peace p. 303; Wagon Trails Grown Over p. 408, 1147
Bruce, William
Regimental Number: 101229
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
William Bruce was born on March 11, 1877 in Dumbarton, Scotland. He came to Canada in the early 1900s and homesteaded three miles southwest of what would later be the site of Wembley. Billy joined the army during World War I and was gassed during his time overseas. In 1918, he returned to the Peace Country and once again took up farming. He died on June 9, 1945.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 213 & 411
Brumpton, Thomas Homley
Regimental Number:
Rank: Private
Branch: British Army
Thomas was born in Binbrook, England on May 14, 1877. He worked on farm estates until war broke out. Thomas served in both France and India. On December 6, 1919, he married Ellen Eyre. The couple came to the Sexsmith area in 1925 and received their Soldier Settlement land at SE6-71-7-W6 and NW31-70-7-W6 in 1926. The couple had two daughters, Doreen Mary and Elizabeth (Betty) Ellen. In 1954 Tom and Ellen moved into Grande Prairie. Tom died on July 1, 1963.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 78, 411
Buck, Arthur Burdett
Regimental Number: 101075
Rank: Private
Branch: 66th Battalion; 49th Battalion
Arthur Buck was born December 11, 1889. He filed on N.W. 33-72-8 on Dec 12, 1911. He enlisted in the Canadian army on 22 July, 1915 and served in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. Arthur received a gunshot wound to his left forearm at the Somme on October 11, 1916. He died at the No. 44 Casualty Clearing Station on November 1, 1917 from shrapnel wounds in the chest and shoulders and is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium. Arthur's grave marker is inscribed with "It is not death but sleep."
- Attestation Paper
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Enlists (July 27, 1915)
- Estate notice (June 3, 1919)
- Photograph (1916)
- Charles & Arthur Buck fonds
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Circumstances of Death Register
- Reported Location of Grave
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Buck, Charles William
Regimental Number: 1352, 300485
Rank: Private; Gunner
Branch: 2nd King Edwards Horse; British Tank Corps
Charles William Buck was born in 1886. He and his younger brother emigrated to Canada. On August 12,1910 Charles filed on N.E. 32-72-8 W6 and also on a 1/2 section of South African Script -S 1/2 33-72-8 W6. On his return from WWl, on July 3, 1918, he filed on N.E. 6-74-8 W6. His farm was called Poplar Grove Farm in the Lake Saskatoon district. He enlisted with the British military in WWl as a private with the 2nd King Edwards Horse (1352), later becoming a gunner in the Tank Corps (300485). He returned to Canada a sick man after the war, married to ‘Cis’, an English nurse, who followed him back to Lake Saskatoon. It was understood that he had been badly gassed during the war. In a letter from the farm to his sister Edith Mary, 12 February, 1920 he said he was staying with a Mrs. Moore; he had been ill for over a year and intended to apply to the military doctor in Edmonton for help. He died March 4, 1920 and was buried in the St. Andrew's Anglican Church Cemetery. Charles’ widow, Phoebe Elizabeth (Lawrence) Buck, married Norman Anderson in 1921.
Sources: Lake Saskatoon Reflections p. 11, 95
- Lives of the First World War profile
- Canadian Great War Project profile
- Photograph (1915)
- Enlisted in England (May 18, 1915)
- Request for letters (Sept. 7, 1915)
- Marriage Certificate
- Returns to Grande Prairie (May 21, 1918)
- Obituary (March 16, 1920)
- Grande Prairie Honour Roll
- Charles & Arthur Buck fonds
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Bull, George William
Regimental Number: 904751
Rank: Private
Branch: 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion; 194th Battalion Edmonton Highlanders
George was born in Hamilton, Ontario on April 6, 1893. He came west and settled in the Rio Grande area in 1913. George served in England and France with the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion. According to his military medical records, two fingers on his left hand had been "crushed by drop hammer" and partially amputated in 1912. After the war, he returned to his farm. In 1926, he met Minnie Mayer and they were married on April 29, 1928. George and Minnie had ten children. In addition to farming, George operated a small truck between Rio Grande, Halcourt, and Beaverlodge. He died in Edmonton on March 15, 1962.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies, p. 332
Bull, W.J.
Regimental Number:
Bunyan, Reginald Arthur
Regimental Number: 887601
Rank: Private
Branch: 188th Battalion
Reginald was born in Northampton, England on September 21, 1897. He came to Canada with his parents in 1903, and the family settled in Lloydminster. Reg enlisted in the 188th Battalion in 1915 and was discharged on April 30, 1917 because of tuberculosis. He met his wife Jean in Fort Saskatchewan after the war. In 1929, Reg bought a hardware business in Wembley and eventually bought the South Wapiti Lumber Mill as well. Reg served for years as Councillor and Mayor of Wembley. He died on June 11, 1955 at 57, and was buried in Lake Saskatoon Cemetery.
Sources: Along the Wapiti, p. 342, 411
Burleau, Harry
Regimental Number: 905160
Rank: Private
Branch: 49th Battalion
Harry was born in St. Albert, Alberta on August 15, 1896. He was still living in St. Albert at the time of his enlistment in September of 1916, though his sister was living in Smoky River. Harry was gassed in November of 1917. At some point after the war, he came to the South Peace and filed on homesteads at 5-74-12-W6 and 35-70-7-W6. Harry died in 1969 and was buried in the Grande Prairie cemetery.
Sources: GP Cemetery
Burman, Layton Earl
Regimental Number: 3207129
Rank: Private
Branch: 1st Depot Battalion, Aberta Regiment; Canadian Army Service Corps
Layton was born in Armada, Michigan on October 9, 1897. He filed on a homestead at NW 27-71-9-W6 in 1917. Layton was drafted into the Canadian Army in May of 1918; at this time, he gave his address as Lake Saskatoon. He served only in England. When the current address card in Layton's service file was filled out at some point in the 1920s, Layton was living in Michigan.
Burnett, Margaret "Peggy" (Scallon)
Branch: Women's Army Auxiliary Corps
Margaret was born in 1897 in Wexford, Ireland. She was a teenager at the time of the 1916 Easter Rebellion in Dublin. Margaret joined the WAAC and was stationed in London, where she met Richard Burnett. The couple was married on June 13, 1921, and came west to Richard's homestead in Elmworth.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 263
Burnett, Richard "Dick"
Regimental Number: 506600
Rank: Corporal
Branch: 8th Battalion, Canadian Engineers
Richard was born in Cardiff, Wales on December 26, 1887. His family immigrated to Niagara Falls when he was an early teen, and he continued on to the Peace Country in 1916 and filed on his homestead on October 4. Just three months later, he enlisted in the Canadian army and went overseas. On one of his leaves he met Margaret Scallon, an Irish woman stationed in London with the WAAC. The couple was married on June 13, 1921 and they headed west to Richard's homestead in Elmworth.
Sources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies p. 263
Burrows, Charles Edward
Regimental Number: 118003
Rank: Private
Branch: 3rd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles
Charles was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia on May 31, 1896. He was working as a coal miner in Alberta when he enlisted in the Canadian Army in March of 1915. At Ypres on June 4, 1916, Charles received gunshot wounds to his back; he suffered from shell shock as a result of this injury. On the same day, he was buried three times by shell explosions. Charles was sent to a convalescent home in Calgary in October of 1916, mostly due to shell shock. He was discharged on December 23, 1916. In 1920, Charles filed on homesteads at NE 16-80-8-W6 and NE 17-80-8-W6.
Butler, Ernest
Source: Homesteaders' Heritage p. 193