James Daniel Louttit
Jimmie Louttit was born on December 24, 1889 in White River, Ontario to John Louttit (the family were of Cree decent and employees of the Hudson Bay Co.) and Laura Hunter (of Scottish decent). James was one of ten children left orphaned when his father and his mother (following a premature birth) both died of pneumonia within days of each other in 1901. The Canadian Census of that year reveals that James and his siblings were subsequently taken in by their maternal grandparents, Issac and Mary Hunter and continued to reside in the district of Algoma.
By the time he enlisted on February 9, 1916 with the 164th Battalion, James had moved to Acton and reported living at 1 Main St. His enlistment papers described him as 5’2 ¾” tall, with a dark complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes. His occupation was Hardware Clerk and he was single. His Military Record reports that in February 1918 he was granted permission to wear “one Good Conduct Badge” and that in October 1918 he was gassed in the field, but made a good recovery. James was granted permission to marry Margaet Heatley on March 8, 1919 and did so eighteen days later in Belfast Ireland. His Discharge Certificate, dated August 1919 indicates that he served in Canada and England and with the 21st Battalion in France for 10 months earning $15 per month pay and his proposed residence upon discharge was Acton. The Canadian Census reveals that in 1921 he was renting a house on Main St. in Acton with his wife Margaret and their 6 month old son Albert, both of whom had immigrated in 1918. James’s occupation was listed as “tanner” and his father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law (Robert Heatley also a WW1 Veteran) and his wife were living with them, having emigrated from Ireland in 1920.
Jimmie purchased a home in the wartime housing, at 196 McDonald Blvd. and raised his family there. His ability to earn a living was negatively impacted by his being gassed during his service and he was forced to quit work (personal interview with Trevolyn Louttet).
Jimmie’s children Albert, Robert and Kay all followed in his footsteps and served in the military.
James died on August 4, 1968 and is buried in Rockwood with Margaret.
Truly a Canadian Hero.