Driver Albert Mountain-Horse served as Albert M. Horse 30396 in the Great War. Perhaps the first Indigenous soldier to enlist in the CEF, certainly the first from the North West. Son of Mountain Horse, one of the best orators the Blood Reserve of Macleod, Alberta ever produced.
Educated at St Paul’s Mission, also one of the brightest and most energetic boys on the Reserve. In addition, great interest in military matters sent Albert to military schools with such great performance, entitling him to a commission held at the time of enlistment.
The Mountain-Horse Family
Sister Mrs B Bull from the Blood Reserve, his mother, Sikski, predeceased him. Albert’s father fought with the Bloods against their enemies in the Last Great Battle at the Belly River in 1870. Brother Mike Mountain-Horse (born 1 November 1887) a Police scout and interpreter at the Royal Northwest Mounted Police barracks. Another brother, Joseph Mountain-Horse (born 20 July 1886) an interpreter at the Blood Agency. Mike would enlist following Albert’s death, a few months later, so did Joe.
Private Mike Mountain-Horse
Private Mike Mountain-Horse 895041 191st Battalion enlisted 23 May 1916, in Macleod, Alberta. A carpenter married to Mary Mountain-Horse. Served with the 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
Pte Mike Mountain-Horse dangerously wounded, abdomen (buried by a shell), 25 August 1917 during the Battle of Hill 70.
Mike Mountain-Horse wounded again, GSW right foot, fracture, on the third day of the Battle of Amiens, 10 August 1918. Finally, Mike returned to Canada in May of 1919.
Private Joseph Mountain-Horse
Joseph Mountain-Horse 895258 191st Battalion enlisted 15 July 1916, also in Macleod. Married to Elizabteh Mountain-Horse, and also served in the 50th Battalion. Wounded 26 October 1917, GSW right forearm. Wounded again in January of 1918, shell wound to his hand.
And like his brother Mike, wounded the following day, 11 August 1918, also a GSW to the right foot, during the Battle of Amiens. Joe came home to Canada two months before his brother Mike, finally discharged from His Majesty’s Service on 1 May 1919.
Enlistment of Albert Mountain-Horse
Albert Mountain-Horse born 25 December 1892, on the Blood Reserve, MacLeod, Alberta. 23rd Alberta Rangers previous service. A Cadet Instructor, taking a course in musketry at this time, he enlisted 30 August 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec with No 4 Company, 1st Canadian Divisional Train. He stood 5′ 11″ tall, with dark complexion, black eyes and hair.
1st Canadian Divisional Train, Canadian Army Service Corps
Organized at Valcartier in August 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Simson. Albert’s unit sailed on 3 October 1914, later arriving in England on 14 October 1914 with a strength of only 7 officers, and 60 other ranks. Arrived later in France on 12 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division. In England, the CASC responsible for feeding the troops.
Albert awarded 10 Days C B, for having been found AWOL two days, 11 December 1914. Prior to embarking for France, CASC inspected by the King and Lord Roberts.
In a letter home, Mountain-Horse wrote, “I do not think the Germans will stand any chance when we get over there,” he commented from England. “I am very anxious to get to the war.”
France
1st Canadian Divisional Train embarked for France, 15 February 1915. The main duties of the CASC in France centered on the transport and supply of food, forage, ammunition, equipment, clothing and engineering material and stores. Furthermore, Corps personnel also repaired motor vehicles and each division had an ambulance repair workshop.
Once again, Albert absent without leave from the docks at St Nazaire, 25 March 1915, and fined 10 days pay.
Second Battle of Ypres
Arthur Currie’s calculated decisions in the fog-of-war made the difference in the battle. But, it was the supreme sacrifice of the 10th and 16th Battalions that led the Supreme Allied Commander, Marshal Ferdinand Foch to declare following the Great War, their assault on an entire German Division was the “greatest act of the war”.
In another letter home, Mountain-Horse wrote, “I was in the thick of the fighting at Ypres, and we had to get out of it. The Germans were using the poisonous gas on our men – oh it was awful – it is worse than anything I know of. I don’t mind rifle fire and the shells bursting around us, but this gas is the limit.”
Driver Albert Mountain-Horse had a “touch of gas”, as many soldiers would say, but came through the battle without serious injury. However, he was gassed on two subsequent occasions and eventually had to be hospitalized. Furthermore, Albert may have been too close to Gravenstafel Ridge on 24 April 1915, the day of the Second Gas Attacks.
Driver Albert Mountain-Horse Dangerously Ill
Already feeling ill for some time, Albert finally admitted to No 8 CCS with Pneumonia, 27 July 1915.
Albert reports ill, on casualty list, 31 July 1915, now listed as Dangerously ill (bronchial pneumonia) at Le Havre. Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 7 August 1915. Transferred to No 17 Divisional Train, 9 August 1915. Unable to travel at present.
Invalided to England, 14 August 1915 per HMTS ANDREA. Gradually putting on weight, improving, later on 26 September 1915. Improving, 2 October 1915, Shorncliffe, but admitted to Duchess of Connaught, Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, 29 October 1915. Finally, having been found no longer physically fit for War Service, discharged from His Majesty’s Service, 4 November 1915, Shorncliffe.
Return to Canada
Discharged to Canada, 11 November 1915. Sailed on 3 December 1915. Tragically, Albert died the day after his arrival in Montreal.
Funeral
Colonel Cruickshanks, DOC of the 13th Military District and Major Outhit, inspector of the Cadets for the Province of Alberta also attended his funeral. An escort of the RNWMP under Superintendent Starnes also in attendance.
The St Paul Mission Cadets, the Macleod Home Guard and the Boy Scouts all greeted the body of the young hero at the station.
The town of Macleod officially represented by Mayor D J Grier and Councilors. Service conducted by Archdeacon Tims, the veteran missionary of the Sarcee Reserve, also assisted by Rev S Middleton of the St Paul’s Mission and the Rev Watkin Jones of Macleod.
Driver Albert Mountain-Horse Memorial
Unknown if the memorial to Albert ever constructed. Perhaps, it may be found at the Fort Museum of the North West Mounted Police and First Nations Interpretive Centre.
Grave of Driver Albert Mountain-Horse
St. Paul’s Cemetery lies 33 miles south of Fort MacLeod, Alberta. Also known as St Paul’s Anglican Cemetery.
Mike Mountain-Horse’s return to Canada
Upon discharge, Albert’s brother Mike returned home to continue working as an interpreter with the Royal North West Mounted Police. Later, he worked as a locomotive labourer in the Canadian Pacific Railroad shops in Lethbridge, Alberta. Mike also became a journalist, and wrote many newspaper articles for the Lethbridge Herald. Among his articles, the first published account of the Last Great Battle, based on his father’s oral history of the conflict, and that of his uncle, Bull Shield.
In 1936, Mike collected many of his writings into a manuscript My People The Bloods, a description of Kainai culture and history. The work remained unpublished until 1979 when released posthumously by the Glenbow-Alberta Institute in Calgary.
Mike a respected and educated man among the Kainai Nation. Retiring in the 1950s, later elected to the Blood Tribal Council. Finally, Mike Mountain Horse died in 1964.