James Young: Life and Service
- Ontario Métis Facts
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Despite a considerable age difference and being one of eleven siblings, James Young maintained a close relationship with his younger brother, Lawrence, throughout his life. The strong ties of their Métis family extended beyond their home community of Kenora, as both brothers served in the Canadian military during the First World War.
Before his service, James was a teamster, living in Kenora next to his extended family and his brother Lawrence through the early 1910s.Â
James, despite being eight years Lawrence's senior, was the last family member to voluntarily enlist in the Canadian military during the First World War. On August 28, 1916, James joined the 141st Bull Moose Battalion in Port Arthur.Â
In late April 1917, James departed for England to join the rest of his Battalion, following months of training with fellow Kenora recruits throughout the fall and winter. This move came shortly after the sorrowful passing of his younger brother, Lawrence, who was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme.
Upon arriving in England, Private James Young initially trained with the 18th Reserve Battalion as a reinforcement for other troops. However, just two months later, he was transferred to the 44th Battalion.
During his training with the 44th Battalion, he was discharged and returned to Canada after his vision was deemed unfit for military service after failing a training test.
On February 15, 1918, James finally returned to Winnipeg, heading home to Kenora on what would have been his brother Lawrence's nineteenth birthday. As James journeyed home to his family, the significance of the date and his brother's sacrifice was likely weighing heavily on his mind.
Following his military service in the First World War, Private James Young spent the rest of his life peacefully in Kenora with his wife, Bella, and lived to the age of ninety-one.
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