Documents & Records

Chinese-Canadians in World War I (1914-1918)

Basics

At the beginning of the First World War in 1914, recruiting for the Canadian army was done on a voluntary basis. Despite the head tax and other forms of discrimination, people of Chinese origin - both naturalized and born in Canada - offered to serve in the War. In British Columbia, however, such recruits were refused, making it necessary for them to travel to other provinces in order to enlist.

By 1917 voluntary enlistment had proved insufficient to raise enough troops to meet Canada's contribution, and the Military Service Act of August 1917 brought in conscription. However, "Orientals" were not conscripted.

The number of Chinese-Canadian volunteers who served in the First World War is unknown, but it was very small. According to some sources about 300 served, but it has been suggested that this number is inflated. In any case, even 300 would be a tiny proportion of the total strength of the Canadian Expeditionary Force of 616, 636 officers and men.

James Morton, author of In the Sea of Sterile Mountains: The Chinese in British Columbia, was told by Victoria Cross winner General George Pearkes that a platoon comprising mainly Chinese-Canadians in the 52nd Battalion (New Ontario Battalion) fought at Ypres in 1917. However, it seems likely that Gen. Pearkes had mistakenly identified Japanese troops as "Chinese." Roy Ito's We Went to War: The Story of the Japanese Canadians Who Served During the First and Second World Wars (1984) lists several dozen Japanese volunteers of the 52nd Battalion (Appendix Three) and no names of apparent Chinese origin are listed on The 52nd (New Ontario) Battalion, CEF website.

Those of Chinese origin who are known to have volunteered included Frederick Lee and Wee Hong Louie (enlisted in Kamloops), William Thomas Louie (Calgary), Tung On Hong (Sudbury), and Victor Fong (Quebec).

A few Chinese nationals also ended up in Canada as a result of the war. The government of China declared war on Germany and Austria in 1917 and 50,000 coolie labourers were recruited into the Chinese Labour Corps, to work behind the lines in France. They crossed Canada in sealed railway cars, on their way to Europe, and were returned through Canada after the war ended. They were quarantined at William Head on Vancouver Island while awaiting their ship to Asia. In March 1919 rioting occurred and about 2000 broke out. Most were apprehended and returned, but an unknown number slipped away into Victoria's Chinatown.

For more information on the participation of Chinese-Canadians in World War I, see:

The Dragon and the Maple Leaf: Chinese Canadians in World War II by Marjorie Wong (940.5404 W87d).
The Chinese Labour Corps by Glenn Wright. Legion Magazine, September-October 2011, v. 86 no. 5, p. 26-31.

Finding the Records

At Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada hold military personnel files from the First World War. Although some of the information is available online, it is also possible to apply for an individual's full personnel file. For full details see the LAC First World War page.

Online

Although, as noted above, very few individuals of Chinese origin served in the First World War, a small number of individuals did volunteer, and in some cases, lost their lives. Information relating to these individuals is included in the following sources:

Soldiers of the First World War (1914-1918) (Library and Archives Canada)
This database is derived from individual Attestation Papers and Enlistment Forms associated with those who volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Those wishing to join up were questioned at the place of enlistment and Attestation Paper forms were completed accordingly. The database is searchable by name and regimental number. It provides links to digitized, printable images of the original Papers, which contain a great deal of useful information including: address, birthplace, name and address of next-of-kin, date of birth, and marital status.
Debt of Honour Register (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)
The Debt of Honour Register is a searchable electronic list of 1.7 million men and women who died during World War I and World War II, and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide where they are commemorated. Details about each individual include name, nationality, rank, regiment, date of death, service number, grave/memorial reference, and cemetery.
The Seven Books of Remembrance... First World War (Veterans Affairs Canada)
First in a series of seven books containing the names, ranks and units of Canadians who fought in wars and died either during or after them. The books are kept in the Memorial Chamber at the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This website provides access to digitized images of the books' pages. The Seven Books of Remembrance... First World War is organized by year, so to locate an individual, it is necessary to know the year in which he or she died.
Our Vets (The Chinese Canadian Military Museum)
This webpage includes an Honour Roll listing the names of Chinese-Canadians who served in the two world wars and who died during or after the wars.

Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 78362