Wee Tan Louie (abt. 1894 - 1970)

Born about 1894 in China

Died 15 Feb 1970 at about age 76 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Biography

Wee Hong was born in 1894 and enlisted in the spring of 1917. He started as a gunner before transitioning into a career as a wireless operator. He finished his military career as a driver. For his service, he received both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Wee Tan attempted to enlist in B.C., like his brother Wee Hong Louie, but was denied the opportunity due to his Chinese heritage. Undeterred, Wee Tan purchased a horse and embarked on a three-month, mid-winter journey from Kamloops to Calgary to attempt enlistment for a second time. He successfully joined the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, in February, 1918. By April, he was on his way to Europe and, shortly thereafter, served as a runner in France and Belgium. Runners delivered messages among the troops and were often subject to demanding battle conditions and dangerous situations. Wee Tan suffered injuries and permanent hearing loss as a result of his service and exposure to shellfire.

Sources

• https://valourcanada.ca/military-history-library/louie-brothers/

• http://www.ccmms.ca/wee-tan-louie/

• Canada army enlistment papers (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=537631)

• different birth date than military records - Find a Grave memorial page for Wee Tan Louie (18 Jan 1897–15 Feb 1970), Find A Grave: Memorial #191097852, citing Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada ; Maintained by Karen Hanna (contributor 48273566) .