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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Canada Lookup Request => Topic started by: ManU on Tuesday 11 August 15 02:08 BST (UK)
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Looking for any information regarding English born Walter Chester living in Swift Current in 1917, he joined the 12 MD 1st Battalion - Regina ?
He was born in 1894 but records I found so far say 1896 he probably did give his real age ??? ???
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There are two Walter Chesters.
Walter born 1896 Scotland ,departure Glasgow , arrival St John New Brunswick Canada 18th April 1912.
The other Walter born 1894 was born in Manchester England.
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For ease of Reference - Walter in 1901 with parents:
1901 Census: Ardwick, Manchester, Lancashire, England
Head: Henry CHESTER 38
Wife: Eliza CHESTER
Dau: Ada 16
Son: William H 14
Son: Arthur 12
Dau: Mary Ann 10
Son: Walter 7
Son: Fred 4
All the children born in Gorton, (Manchester), Lancashire
For ease of reference: 1917-18
WWI CANADA - Recruitment Draft:
Walter CHESTER , age 22, single, CofE, Occ: Mechanic
Born 3 Mar 1896, Manchester
Resident: Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Father: Henry CHESTER, Hyde Rd Manchester, then 23 Spring Gardens, Ardwick.
Never before in the Services.
Description: 5', 5", Dark Complexion, Grey eyes, Brown Hair
Called up 11 Nov 1917, Regina, Sask.
Examined: 30 Mar 1918
TRAVEL 1919:
Ship "City of Puebla", from Liverpool 26 Aug 1919, to New York, arriving 9 Sep 1919
Walter CHESTER, Mechanic 25, not married, English, British, b Manchester, England
Last Permanent Residen oft: Regina, Canada
Address in UK: 10 Spring Gardens, Manchester
Never before in the US. Has $25.
In Transit. Going to : Friend, Max? Mr? Grey, South Side, Swift Current, Sask, Canada
Description: 5', 8", Fair complexion, Brown Hair & Eyes. Tattoo of Hellshead on left forearm.
Person who paid for ticket: No-one! He was noted as being a Stowaway on this ship (along with one other man, a Corsican sailor named Tomas SANCHEZ).
It appears he was held in custody until 4 Nov 1919, when he was deported, on the same ship he arrived on.
TRAVEL 1945:
Border Entry Detroit, Michigan, USA on 21 Mar 1945
Walter CHESTER age 51, born 3/3/94 , married, British, Occ: Manufacturer. Travelling alone
Canadian Visa issued: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Last Permanent Residence: 6490, 10 Mile Road, Centerline, Michigan and is returning to that address.
Nearest relative in Country whence applicant came:
Wife, Mary Ellen CHESTER of 43 North Road, Droylsden, Manchester
Has been to US before in: From Nov 1925 to Sep 1928, and from Nov 1928 to 20 Mar 1945.
Intending to reside permanently.
Description: 5', 5", medium complexion, brown hair and blue eyes; tattoos both arms.
Last arrived: Quebec 18 Nov 1928 on the ship "Laurentic"
There was some notation on this manifest, about " 7th Proviso granted with respect to Commission of crimes committed in BIA Jan 19, 1945" - not sure what that all meansbut it looks like he was passed (admitted).
The other Walter CHESTER cites a date of birth 5 March 1893 Glasgow, unmarried, occupation: Teamster when he attested for the CEF on 1 Mar 1917 in St John's New Brunswick. He had a sister named Mary, Mrs Greenlees living in Glasgow. He was then in the 62nd NB Militia, and had previously served for 12 mths in the 104th Batt. CEF.
Cheers
AMBLY
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That's great
Walter was the one born in Manchester I did have some info but the travel records are new the rest confirmed I had the right guy in Canada, Does the Canadian records hold photos I had one from UK merchant seamen records but cannot confirm if its him
Any further info regarding his time in Swift Current would be great
Cheers guys
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi ManU.
Before we going looking for & typing out the other shipping records (he mentioned 1925 and 1928), or info about his wife Mary Ellen, or his life in Michigan, Census in US or Canada - do you have already any of or need any of that?
Saskatchewan is one of the more difficult Provinces in Canada in which to research, when compared to available records in some of the others :(
Cheers
AMBLY
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Canadian WW1 Attestation Papers for Walter Chester - you are very lucky, they are in the process of digitalising military file - so you get the full file for Walter. (site can be slow to load at times))
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B1670A-S049
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=98701
WW2 USA Draft - Walter Chester - Center Line - Michigan
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J491-S2L
Sandra
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FIND A GRAVE 1894 - 1982 - Walter Chester
Burial: Memorial Gardens Cemetery Midland Midland County Michigan.
Plot: Section 1, row 29
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=131896850&ref=acom
WIFE
Mary Ellen Wisher Chester 1898 - 1961
Burial - Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Southfield Oakland County Michigan
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=147287929
Sandra
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To Sandra & Ambly
The info provided is fantastic, I had the WW1 record but only the first page did not realise there were many more pages - that's great, he's a naughty boy desertion??
One query the WW2 card says his contact is a Mrs ?? from Ten Mile Centreline Michigan, any ideas on her name
I do have a couple of passenger records which I will try and match dates the 1919 record and a couple in the 20's. I had one record that said his cousin is a Mrs Sinclair not been able to confirm this yet
I am on the road at the moment so cannot search through my records.
It sounds as if he moved from Saskat to Michigan at some time with visits to the UK
will try and find his marriage date to Mary Ellen - its ironic that his brother Fred who tried to get into Canada was denied and spent his life in the Merchant Navy and married a Mary Ellen Hindley, he died in 1958 and his wife died 1982
By the way Fred was my father in law, (never met him) he had 10 kids and I married the youngest
Love to find a photo of him as there apparently none in the family
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Hi ManU,
The WW2 lady's name is Mrs Kuipers.
http://www.mifamilyhistory.org/midland/goodshepherd.htm
Lists his name in the burials as:
Walter Chester 1894 – 1982 (he is part of the Kuipers family)
Desertion, then caught as a ship's stowaway in 1919 when trying to return to Canada after the war. Seems like he had some tough times!
Cheers
AMBLY
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Walter homesteaded in Saskatchewan, near Swift Current... If you go to familysearch.org and look under Saskatchewan Provincial Records 1879-1987 file #2399128, starting on page 301.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-41461-6951-69?cc=1916143&wc=9HT6-VZ3:1046439201
He apparently attempted to farm his land, but found the land very swampy and not good for cultivation. Walter had his windows stolen, along with some wood. To make matters worse, I believe his "shack" burned down as well. He went back home to Manchester for awhile but couldn't afford to go back to Saskatchewan so his land was deemed to be abandoned and he had to withdraw his application around 1915. So that example why he didn't return lol.
His brother William Henry died during the war, 1917...he was in the 5th battalion Saskatchewan... He died I believe on this battle:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Battalion,_Canadian_Mounted_Rifles,_CEF
http://svwm.ca/casualty-display/?ID=A000000980
Jeff
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Hi Jeffster
:o :o
What can I say
the info is incredible thank you so much for the links it was great building a picture of his early life and a bonus about his brother fantastic
;D ;D
regards
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William Henry's service record has hia movements during the war plus addresses to his dad and sister in Manchester. ... You were able to view his homestead file after you log into family search? ?
Jeff
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Hi Jeff
Got all the homestead files for walter and the death info for William Henry also page 1 of his attestation records but not able to download his service records at this time will have to wait to pay a subscription to enable me to get his complete record
Family searching can get expensive
Look the info you got was just incredible so I am happy for now
cheers
Ray
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Hi Jeff
Just a quick comment, the link to the casualty record of William Henry shows his death etc which is correct father was Henry in Ardwick Manchester however when you click on the 2 attestation links they are I believe incorrect and appear to be a different William, the birth of WH Chester is Manchester yet the WChester is another part of the UK
other than that all appears good at this stage
???
Ray
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the death info for William Henry also page 1 of his attestation records but not able to download his service records at this time will have to wait to pay a subscription to enable me to get his complete record
Family searching can get expensive
Look the info you got was just incredible so I am happy for now
cheers
Ray
No need to pay for William Henry Chester complete record, it has been digitalised already and is available for free (Just scroll down and everything will appear) Even shows his "Military Will" - leaving everything to his sister Miss Mary Ann Chester C/p William J Horne 72 Gt Ducie Street Strangeways Manchester England.
http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B1670A-S053
Sandra
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Thanks Sandra much appreciated - yes that's him - great info
cheers
Ray ;D ;D