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The Hermanson brothers, Sveinn (Steven) and Magdal (Mack), sons of Gudjon (Joseph) and Magdalen (Sigurdottur) Hermanson, born in Reykjavík, Iceland. Mack was the first Icelander to give his life for Canada, serving with the 90th Winnipeg Rifles (8th Battalion, CEF). Steven arrived late in the Great War with the 1st Tank Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps in England.
Private Magdal (Mack) Hermanson
Private Magdal (Mack) Hermanson 54, born 21 June 1895 in Seydisfjordur, Iceland. His father was Gudjon Hermanson of Keewatin, Ontario. Mack was an assistant to James Wydeman, publisher of the Keewatin Enterprise weekly paper. He also worked as a printer in Winnipeg.
Early Life
The Hermanson family emigrated from Iceland to Canada in 1904. Found living in Keewatin on Goat Road in the 1911 census, although Mack not listed with the family. Lodging at 351 Beverley Street with other fellow Icelanders, the Sigvaldssons and Mary Bjarnason, and a Norwegian family, the Nelsons. Gudjon was working in the elevator of the Lake of the Woods Milling Company.
Other family members included brother Sveinn, and sister Sigridur (Sarah) who was also not with the family. Also sister Hermania Groa born in Keewatin on 3 June 1905.
Service
The younger of the two Hermanson brothers, Mack left Kenora, Ontario on 23 August 1914, on his way east to Valcartier, Quebec where he enlisted on 23 September 1914. Mack stood 5′ 5″ tall, 130 pounds, with fair complexion, blue eyes, light-brown hair. He was Presbyterian. His occupation at the time given as printer. Mack enlisted with the 8th Battalion, a new unit made up of recruits from Winnipeg and northwestern Ontario.
The Little Black Devils organized in Valcartier Camp in accordance with Camp Order 24 September 1914. Composed of recruits from Winnipeg and from the 96th Lake Superior Regt. of the Active Militia. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Louis James Lipsett.
England
The Little Black Devils embarked Quebec City on 1 October 1914 aboard FRANCONIA. Disembarked England 14 October 1914. Strength: 47 officers, 1106 other ranks.
The 8th Battalion sent to Salisbury Plain in southern England where they trained for several months. The men billeted in tents and huts and due to the cold. Wet winter weather many of them became sick with severe colds and pneumonia.
At Avonmouth the Battalion embarked on 10 February 1915, for its momentous journey to France. Disembarked in France 13 February 1915. The cattle boat, Archimedes, left much to be desired by way of comfort and accommodation. After an uneventful voyage, St. Nazaire reached and the troops disembarked on 13 February.
Belgium
On 2 March, the Little Black Devils moved into the front line in front of the village of La Boutillerie, southeast of Fleurbaix. Here they took over a section of the line from the 2nd Wiltshires. A quiet section. And, for the next three weeks the Battalion learned general trench routine in the school of practical experience.
The Second Battle of Ypres
A journey by bus to Vlamertinghe and a march through stately Ypres, brought the Little Black Devils into the trenches. Near St. Julien on the evening of 14 April 1915, they relieved the French, and, in the words of General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, the enemy was always truculent.
On the left of the 2nd Brigade was the 3rd Brigade, and on the right was the 28th British Division. The trenches in poor condition, traverses non-existent, parapets no protection except from view, and in many places no parados at all. For three days and three nights all ranks laboured to improve their defences. Then came the disturbing news on the night of 22 April 1915. The French on the left of the 3rd Brigade forced out of their trenches by an enemy gas attack.
Through the gap poured the Germans in their thousands. It became immediately necessary for the 3rd Brigade, with its left in the air, greatly to extend its line and throw back its left flank southward to protect its rear. The 8th Battalion left at the spearhead of a dangerous salient. During the next four days the Little Black Devils endured a rain of shells from front, flank and rear. Mack would not make it through the second day of shelling.
23 April 1915
Shortly after midnight, 23 April 1915, Private Magdal (Mack) Hermanson reported as dangerously ill. Critical GWS to his head. He died of his wounds on 3 May 1915 at the No. 14 General Hospital in Wimereux, France. Three cables sent home: 25 April 1915 dangerously ill with GSW head and admitted to No. 14 General Hospital.
Another sent 4 May 1915 stating that he had died. And, another sent the same day confirming the death. Although the story circulated Mack one of the first to die of the terrible gassing first used by the Germans on 22 April 1915, his record states otherwise.
Wimereux Communal Cemetery
Interred in the ‘E’ Trench, Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pal de Calais, France. Buried at 2:30 a.m., 5 May 1915. Mack seven weeks shy of his 20th birthday. The youngest of the Hermanson brothers died nearly three years before the eldest enlisted in 1918.
Mack eligible for the 14/15 Star. His medals and decorations sent to his brother at 469 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg. While his plaque and scroll sent to his father in Keewatin.
Private Mack Hermanson commemorated on page 19 of the Great War Book of Remembrance in Ottawa. On the Keewatin Cenotaph located in Beatty Park in Keewatin, Ontario. And, on the Lake of the Woods Milling Company Honour Roll plaque. Finally, on the 8th Battalion’s Great War Roll of Honour.
Private Sveinn (Steven) Hermanson
Early Life
The eldest of the Hermanson brothers, Sveinn (Steven) Hermanson 2765160 son of Gudjon (Joseph) and Magdalen (Sigurdottur) Hermanson. Born on 13 October 1893 in Reykjavík, Iceland. In his early years in Canada went by the name of Sveinn. But, during the war he adopted the name of Steven. It appears that he may have immigrated to Canada first. Likely in 1902, with the rest of the family immigrating around 1904.
Gudjon working in the elevator of the Lake of the Woods Milling Company while Sveinn working at the stave factory. Brother Magdal (Mack), born in 1895, was living in Winnipeg, lodging on Beverley Street with other fellow Icelanders. By the time of the 1916 census Sveinn living in Winnipeg. Lodging with the Rudolph family, and working as a glove cutter.
Service
Sveinn sign his attestation papers on 30 April 1918 in Winnipeg. He stood 5′ 5″ tall, 130 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. His father Gudjon in Keewatin as next of kin. He gave previous military service as seven months with the Strathcona Horse. A family photo stating it had been in 1914. He also indicated that he applied to the Royal Flying Corps to serve. But, turned down due to lack of education.
Sveinn embarked from Canada for England on 3 June 1918. Taken on strength with the Depot Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps upon arrival. He was to serve in England for the duration of the war.
Examined at Bovington Camp, 19 May 1919 prior to embarking for Canada. Returning to Canada aboard the SS AQUITANIA, disembarking in Halifax on 25 May 1919. Sveinn discharged from service on 30 May 1919.
Later Life
On 10 March 1921, in Winnipeg, Sveinn married Annabelle Boyd. The 1921 census found the newly weds, Annabelle’s name listed as Hannah and Sveinn as Steven, living on Nelson Street in Keewatin. Steven working as a packer at the flour mill. Also living with the couple were Steven’s father and sister Groa. Sadly, his mother died in 1913, buried in Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg.
Steven and possibly Mary moved to Los Angeles where Steven became the owner of the Lincoln Lunch Counter on Sunset Boulevard. The eldest of the Hermanson brothers far-outliving the youngest. Steven died on 19 November 1956 in the Hollywood Receiving Hospital in Los Angeles. His Canadian Veteran death card listed his widow Mrs Mary E. Hermanson of 615 Stinston, Detroit, Michigan as next of kin. Steven buried in the White Chapel Cemetery in Troy Michigan.
More
See Judy Stockham’s articles on the Hermanson Brothers at the Kenora Great War Project.
Private Magdal (Mack) Hermanson
Private Sveinn (Steven) Hermanson
8th (90th Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion in the Great War
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