The Canadian Military Heritage Project - World War 1 (Great War). Find your military ancestors and learn their history.

Thumbnail Bios A~Z

Aitken, William Maxwell 1879~1964

William Aitken was born in Maple Ont but was raised in New Brunswick. Aitken moved to Britain a few years before The Great War and was Knighted in 1911. A millionaire as well as a important representative of the Canadian Govornment his duties included Eye witness with the Canadian Expeditionary Force and officer in charge of the Canadian War Records Office. In 1916 he established the Canadian War Memorials Fund. He also wrote two volumes of Canada in Flanders.

Alderson, Edwin Alfred Hervey 1859~1927

A carere soldier Alderson enlisted in the British Army in 1878 and saw service in India, Egypt and South Africa. In 1914 he was given Command of the First Canadian Division and later the Canadian Corps. He was replaced by General Byng in 1916 after his failure at the battle of St. Eloi.

Banting, Frederick Grant 1891~1941

Born in Alliston Ont in 1891 Fred Banting served overseas as a doctor in the Great War where he was wounded. Although awarded the Military Cross Banting became most famous for his discovery of insulin in 1921. He was also a respected artist who painted with the Group of Seven. Banting was killed in a plane crash in 1941.

Beatty, John 1869~1941

War artist with the Canadian War Memorials in 1918.

Borden, Sir Robert Laird 1854~1937

Born in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia Borden was elected to Parliament in 1896. Elected Prime Minister in 1911 he led Canada through the Great War. A man of fierce determination he succeeded in pushing the Military Service Act through Parliament, forming a Union Government, and winning the 1917 election.

Bourassa, Joseph Henri Napoleon 1868~1952

Born in Quebec Bourassa was elected to parliament in 1896. Opposed to conscription he led the fight against Prime Minister Borden's Military Service Act and the forming of a Union Government.

Brown, Arthur Roy 1893~1944

Brown was born in Carleton Place Ont. A fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps he was credited with 11 kills. His claim to fame comes from the fact that some credit him with shooting down the Red Baron in 1918. Brown was shooting at the Baron's plane when it went down but some Australian troops on the ground were also trying to shoot it down at the same time.

Byng, Julian Headworth George 1862~1935

Born in England Byng joined the British Army in 1883. In the Great War he took command of the Canadian Corps (Byngs Boys) in 1916. An excellent officer he was later appointed Canadian Governor general in 1921.

Currie, Sir Arthur William 1875~1933

Born in Strathroy Ont Currie was the first Canadian born commander of the Canadian Corps in the Great War. He joined the Militia in 1893 and by 1914 had achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Given command of the 2nd Brigade by Sam Hughes in 1914 Currie was to become one of the best commanders of the war. In June 1917 he was given command of the Canadian Corps a position he would retain until the end of the war.

Gault, Andrew Hamilton 1882~1958

On the outbreak of W.W.I Gault put up $100,000 to raise and organize the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in which he was second in command.

Hughes, Sir Samuel 1853~1921

Sam Hughes was born in Darlington, Canada West. First elected to parliament in 1892 he became Minister of Militia in 1911. Hughes was a complex if not eccentric character. His appointment as minister led to many improvements in the Militia and his roll in mobilizing the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 was a remarkable feat of determination. Hughes downfall came about as a result of his pension for allowing patronage to influence officer appointments and the awarding of munitions and equipment contracts. He was sacked by the Prime Minister in 1916.

McCrae, John 1872~1918

Physician with the Canadian Expiditionary Force and author of the poem In Flanders Fields.

Mercer, M.S. 1859~1916

Major-General Mercer was placed in command of the 3rd Canadian Division in Dec 1915. He was killed on June 2nd 1916 at Mount Sorrel. He was the highest ranking Canadian killed in the Great War.

Milne, David 1882~1953

Canadian war artist W.W.I

Papineau, Talbot Mercier 1883~1917

Great-grandson of Louis-Joseph Papineau leader of the 1837 rebellion. Talbot was a strong proponent of greater French Canadian support of the Great War. He was killed at Passchendaele in 1917.

Perley, George H 1857~1938

Canadian high Commissioner in London 1914~1917.

Rice, Ingraham 1891~1947

World War One songwriter and entertainer. Born in Nova Scotia Rice inlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 some of his songs were Fritzie Boy, I Want To Go Home, Keep Your Head Down, and supposedly Mademoiselle from Armentieres.

Ross, Sir Charles 1872~1942

Scottish aristocrat who developed the Ross Rifle.

Todd, John

Todd discovered a prevention and treatment for Trench Fever.

Varley, Frederick Horsman 1881~1969

Canadian War Artist World War One.

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