Version 6.01

02 January 2023

David March © 2014

JAMES McCAWLEY

James McCawley was born on 15 January 1886 in Drumkeerin, Leitrum, Ireland to John McCawley and Elizabeth. He immigrated to Canada in 1912, possibly on SS ‘Scandinavian' which sailed from Moville, Ireland and Glasgow, Scotland and arrived in Quebec on 9 June 1912. The James McCawley that sailed on that ship was 26, single, had the destination of Winnipeg, Manitoba and the profession of a police officer.

In 1917 a Sergeant of the Provincial Police, James McCawley, was listed in the Saskatoon Henderson Directory living on the top floor of the courthouse. In 1918 he resided at 614 116 3rd Ave South.

James married Harriet (Hattie) Comrie on 4 September 1918 in Winnipeg. Hattie was born on 19 November 1893 in Rosser RM, Manitoba to James Comrie (1846-1931) and Elizabeth Porter (1857-1931). Her siblings were: Laura Mabel (b 1882), Robert (1885-1949), Jessie Margaret (b 1886), George (b 1888) and William James (b 1891). Hattie was raised on a farm in Rosser RM.

In 1921 James and Hattie were living at 810 Beverley St in Winnipeg. James was a claims agent for CNR. They had two boys and two girls. Their son, James Comrie was born on 13 August 1922 in Dauphin, Manitoba and died on 25 February 2010 in Winnipeg. James Jr was a doctor in Winnipeg for many years. See his Obituary. At some point, Harriet and James left Winnipeg. They moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and by 1941, James had been promoted to Assistant Chief Claims Agent for CNR. During WWII, James was a sheet metal for Burrard Dry Dock. At this time they moved in 2316 West 12th Ave, Vancouver which was their home for the rest of their lives. James died on 27 January 1978 and Hattie on 26 November 1978.

We are not positive that the James McCawley that married Hattie Comrie is the same one that lived in Saskatoon from 1917 - 1918. As he was not enumerated in a census in Saskatoon, there was very little information available about the man who lived in Saskatoon and his ancestry was based on information supplied for the man who came to Canada on SS ‘Scandinavian’ because he was a police officer with the final destination of Winnipeg. It is not unreasonable that a policeman would become a claims agent for CNR.

If you have any further information about a James McCawley or McCauley who lived in Saskatoon during 1917-1918, please contact us.

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