Kemshaw Family History in Canada


David went first to Canada on the 3rd June 1913 aged 37 on the “Royal Edward”. His occupation was stated as “Fitter”. The family followed on the 6th May 1914 also on the “Royal Edward” sailing from Bristol to Quebec: David 10, Ethel 11, Harold 5 and Lillie 7 with their mother Florence aged 38. They were just in time as war was declared on the 4th August 1914.

David enrolled in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 4th March 1916 aged 38 years. His regiment number was 722151. His height was 5ft 5in, chest 38 and a half inches with blue eyes and fair hair. He stated that his occupation was electrician and that he had 11 years service in the Royal Engineers. His brother Frederick was also in the same regiment. Next of kin was Florence Kemshaw and their address was 158, Harold Avenue, West Transcona, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Transcona was a new township and David would have been attracted by work and land. The following is taken from the Transcona Historical Museum website.

“At the turn of the century, 800 acres of the open prairie east of Winnipeg was selected as the site for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway’s new repair and maintenance shops. Construction of the new shops began in 1908 and camps for construction crews were soon established. The new community grew rapidly to a population of 1600 in 1911 when the Board of Trade was established and the town was named, from a combination of National Transcontinental Railway and Lord Strathcona. The town was officially incorporated on April 6, 1912.”

http://www.transconamuseum.mb.ca/

At the time of the 1916 Census they were in Springfield, Manitoba.  At some stage they moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and in the 1921 Census they were in Vancouver.

Ethel Florence Kemshaw married Edward Henderson on the 16th March 1927. They had three children, Edward LeRoy Henderson, Lillian Blossom Henderson and Margaret O’Neil Henderson.

David Walter Kemshaw married Jean Elizabeth Munro. They had one child, David Warren Kemshaw.

Harold George Kemshaw married Helen Elizabeth ?. They had two children, Robert D. Kemshaw and George Victor Kemshaw.

Lillian Amy Kemshaw married Jack Mawson (John Tyson Mawson). They were unable to have children. Lillian was in regular contact by letter with my family in England and sent many photographs of the family in Canada. Some letters from the 1960s are here.


Florence K. Kemshaw died on the 29th May 1948 aged 72 in Burnaby.

David Walter Kemshaw died on the 15th April 1961 at Coquitlam aged 85.


Harold George Kemshaw died on the 24th April 1966 in Victoria aged 57.

Helen Elizabeth Kemshaw died on the 12 December 1978 aged 66 in Victoria.

Jean Elizabeth Kemshaw died on the 18th June 1978 aged 66 in Campbell River.


I have been unable to find out what happened to Lillian and Jack Mawson.  I would be grateful for any information.

© Barclay Barrell 2014