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Kazuo Harada was one of 23 young men from Richmond who lost their lives in either World War I, World War II, or in the Korean War whose names were inscribed on the Richmond Cenotaph.
Photo courtesy Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre 1992.23.1.2.23.
In honour of our soldiers: Kazuo Harada
Published 2:43 PDT, Thu August 28, 2025
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In our previous series, we learned about the 56 men who gave their lives during World War I and World War II, whose names had been inscribed on the Richmond Cenotaph and were given a poppy street sign. Following our poppy street sign series, we moved onto the youth soldiers whose names were inscribed on the Richmond Cenotaph, but did not have a road named after them. Those names were compiled of 23 young men who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, or in the Korean War.
Kazuo Harada was born in Fukuoka, Japan on March 24, 1890 and moved to Canada on March 21, 1908. He worked as a fisherman with his uncle, Otohachi Koyonagi, who worked for the Terra Nova Cannery in Eburne, Richmond, British Columbia.
When Britain declared war on Germany on Aug. 4, 1914, Canada was still being governed by the U.K. at the time. During that period, Kazuo attempted to enlist with his fellow Canadians but was refused during enlistment. Wanting to serve his country, Kazuo travelled to Calgary, Alberta, and enlisted into the 175th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on Sept. 1, 1916.
On Oct. 3, 1916, the battalion departed for their journey to England aboard the S.S. Saxon, upon arrival, Kazuo was transferred to the 21st Reserve Battalion, and then the 50th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On March 11, 1917, he was wounded in battle at Belle Grenay, France, spending the next few months in the hospital.
On Aug. 10, 1918, in the Battle of Amiens, Kazuo was seriously injured and would be hospitalized in France, before being transferred to Netley Hospital in England. Five days later, he would succumb to his injuries and be buried at the hospital cemetery in Netley Military Cemetery.
His mother, Teo Koyanagi who lived in Japan, would be sent a memorial cross, plaque, and scroll. In his memory, he was honoured in the First World War Book of Remembrance on page 423 that is displayed in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
He was also remembered by the Japanese Canadian Association in Stanley Park when they unveiled a Japanese War Memorial in 1920, where his name was also inscribed. The City of Richmond added Kazuo Harada and his cousin Hikotaro Koyanag’s names to the Richmond Cenotaph on May 31, 2024.
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