Wee Hong Louie
Wee Hong Louie (later Walter Louie;[1] 1894–unknown) was one of 300 Chinese Canadians to serve in the First World War.[2][3]
He enlisted in 1917 as a gunner, later becoming a driver and wireless operator.[2] He was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal for his service.[2] After being discharged, he studied electrical engineering at the University of Chicago. However, he was refused a business license for a radio repair business in Ontario due to his race. He mailed his medals and uniform to Prime Minister Mackenzie King, who apologized and overruled the decision.[2]
His brother Wee Tan Louie also served in the First World War.[2]
References
- ^ Frank Matys (8 November 2018). "First world War hero Walter Louie was 'an inspiration' in face of discrimination: Turvey". Orillia Today.
- ^ a b c d e "Wee Hong Louie". Chinese Canadian Military Museum. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ "The Louie Brothers". Valour Canada. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
Further reading
- "Brothers fought enemies and racism". Edmonton Journal. 16 August 2014. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com.
- Carolyn Heiman, ed. (2017). Celebration: Chinese Canadian Legacies in British Columbia. Province of British Columbia. p. 72.
- "B.C.'s Louie brothers were among 300 Chinese-Canadians who fought in the First World War". The Great War. Postmedia. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016.