Private Walter Henry James
113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders), Canadian Expeditionary Force

Born in 1888 at Gleichen, Alberta. Died in 1987. Son of Guernsey born Walter Henry James & Mary Haynes. Enlisted at Calgary 26/04/1916

Walter's father, Walter senior, had emigrated from Guernsey to Gleichen, Alberta at the turn of the 20th century as interpreter for to the Blackfoot Nation, later joined by three siblings, including 2nd Lieutenant Herbert Edward James, R.G.L.I.

Walter Snr. subsequently set up the Gleichen Trading Company - a general store a bit like the one that his Dad had set up at the Longfrie House, Guernsey.

Walter Henry James, 1897-1987, was born at the Anglican mission on the Blackfoot (Siksika) reserve in southern Alberta, the son of Walter Henry James, 1877-1947, and Mary Haynes, ?-1935. His father was an interpreter on the reserve and proprietor of the Gleichen Trading Company. Walter was educated in Gleichen and worked as a ranch hand until First World War enlistment. He served with the 16th Canadian, Scottish Battalion. On his discharge in 1919 he became the stockman on the Blackfoot reserve, then a stock detective for the Alberta Provincial Police (APP). In 1926 he established a farm at Cluny, which he ran until retiring to Calgary in 1961. In 1942 he married Ellen "Nell" Palmer Jones, a widow with three daughters, Audrey (McLeod), Lorna and Elsie (Parkinson). He was wounded at Vimy Ridge.

His Indian name was A-pee-o-wo-mu-gun which means 'Running Wolf'. His childhood playmate was Joe Crowfoot, grandson of Chief Crowfoot, who became a star of rodeo shows.

Glenbow Museum of Calgary online