Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

WILLIAM STEWART GRANT

William Stuart Grant was born on 30 Jan 1894 in Cambuslang, Lanark, Scotland to John Grant (1857-1930) & Helen Stewart (1860-1935). William had four brothers, James (b 1887), David Stewart (b 1889), John “Jack” (b 1893) & Walter (1894-1917) and one sister Isabella Stewart (b 1888). John Sr was a potato merchant like his father in Cambuslang. In 1911, the family immigrated to Canada: John Sr and Walter sailed on SS ‘Saturnia‘ arriving in St John, New Brunswick on 1 February, followed by Helen and the rest of the family on SS ‘Cassandra' arriving on 20 March. They must have travelled directly to Saskatoon as they were all recorded there in the census based on 1 June 1911.

The family moved into 1117 Ave A North in Saskatoon; John Sr is recorded as a farmer, James a salesman with Northern Fruit Co, Isabella a operator for Government phones, David a bookkeeper, Jack a traveller, William a bank clerk and Walter a bookkeeper.

The four younger boys enlisted for WWI: David on 27 December 1915, Jack on 7 March 1916, Walter on the following day. Walter was killed in action during the battle for Hill 70 at Lens, Pas de Calais, France. By this time he had been promoted to Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment. He died on 16 August 1917 aged 23 years. His memorial is on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. The story of the battle for Hill 70 is available on the The Canadian Encyclopedia website. William enlisted on 11 October 1917 and was discharged at demobilisation on 9 January 1919 although he appears to have been able to retain his employment throughout his military service as he is recorded in Henderson’s City Directory for 1918 & 1919 as a salesman for Imperial Oil Company with no mention of active service.

After the war, James married Alice and continued to work as a traveller for Northern Fruit Company. Isabella remained with Government phones and was promoted to supervisor. David also became a salesman in the cider & fruit business. John appears to be running the family farm. William was a cashier for Imperial Oil.

William married Lily Burdett in about 1921. Lily was born in 5 April 1898 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Lily had two sisters, Winnifred (b 1897) & Lizzie (b 1900) and one brother, Charles (b 1901). The Burdett family immigrated in 1912 and Lily found employment as a clerk in WJ Weedon’s Variety Store before joining Imperial Oil as a stenographer. Lily and Winnifred made a brief trip back to England in 1920 returning to Quebec on 8 August. She and William probably married later that year. William & Lily lived at 753 Ave H North from 1921-1925. During part of this time Lily’s brother, Charles, roomed with them.

In 1924, John Sr returned to Scotland to bring out some cattle for his farm. During this period the family lived at 816 Rushholm Road, Saskatoon. From about 1941, William & Lily lived in Vancouver.

John Sr died on 11 August 1930 & Helen died on 22 March 1935. They are buried in adjacent plots in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Grant 2 Tree.

Signature on William’s enlistment papers 11 October 1917