James (Jake) Begg Pt. 1: Life

Known affectionately as “Jake” to his family and friends, James Begg was the third of eleven Métis children born to James Sr. and Jemima Begg in Kenora on April 19, 1895.

James’ father, James Begg Sr., had relocated to Rat Portage–now known as Kenora–from Manitoba in 1888. He first worked as a bookkeeper for the Hudson's Bay Company at Northwest Angle before joining Murphy Brothers, a Kenora cartage business. He later turned to farming in the nearby township of Melick.

In 1891, James Sr. and Jemima Begg were married, and together they began what would become a large Métis family. Their early years were marked by both joy and sorrow. When James (Jake) Begg was born in 1895, the family was still mourning the loss of their firstborn son, Arthur, who had passed away shortly after his first birthday in 1893.

In his early twenties, James was among several young Métis men from Kenora who enlisted to serve in the First World War, alongside other members of his community and the Begg-Spence family.

James’ younger brother Duncan, for instance, followed in his footsteps, leaving for Europe in February 1918, before returning home the next year. Duncan lived a long life, passing away at ninety-nine years old. James’ cousin, Adolphus Begg, also enlisted in May 1915 with the 52nd Battalion but sadly died from combat wounds in 1917.

In May 1916, James (Jake) Begg departed from his home in Kenora with the 94th Battalion. Filled with the pride and love of his family and community, he arrived in England that July as one of many Métis soldiers answering the call to serve.

See Our Sources

• James Begg, Canadian Great War Project

• James Begg, Kenora Great War Project

• Begg-Spence VMFL

• James Begg Attestation Record (1)

• James Begg Attestation Record (2)

• Duncan Begg, Kenora Great War Project

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