Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow MM & two Bars in the Great War

Introduction

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow 6846 one of the most highly decorated Indigenous soldiers of the Great War. An Ojibwa from the Perry Island Band in Ontario, awarded the Military Medal plus two bars for acts of bravery in Belgium and France. Pegahmagabow one of only 39 members of the CEF who received two bars in addition to the Military Medal.

Francis Pegahmagabow a gentleman, a leader, a brave and humble hero, and proud Canadian. There is no doubt, Sir Arthur Currie was Canada’s Greatest Leader, during the Great War. Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow may have been Canada’s Greatest Soldier in the Great War.

Early Life

Francis Pegahmagabow born on what is now the Shawanaga First Nation reserve, on the shores of Parry Sound. When Francis about three years old, his father, Michael Pegahmagabow, passed away after battling a severe illness. Francis’ mother, Mary Contin, had also become ill from the same sickness. But, after her husband’s death, Mary returned to her home of Henvey Inlet First Nation, Georgian Bay. Francis left to be raised by Noah Nebimanyquod, the same man who had raised Francis’ father after the deaths of his parents.

Education

Growing up in Shawanaga, Francis raised with the cultural customs and traditions of the Anishnaabe (Ojibwa). Taught to hunt and fish and introduced to traditional medicine by his foster mother.

Francis Pegahmagabow carried a spiritual item with him into battle, a medicine bag given to him before the war.

“When I was at Rossport, on Lake Superior, in 1914, some of us landed from our vessel to gather blueberries near an Ojibwa camp. An old Indian recognized me, and gave me a tiny medicine-bag to protect me, saying I would shortly go into great danger. The bag was of skin tightly bound with a leather throng. Sometimes it seemed to be hard as a rock, at other times it appeared to contain nothing. What was really inside I do not know. I wore it in the trenches.”

Francis practiced a combination of Roman Catholicism and Anishnaabe spirituality. Shawanaga elder Solomon Pawis claimed Francis not very healthy during his early childhood. However, he soon grew up to become a physically, and emotionally strong young man.

Work

At the age of 12, Francis starts working at the local lumber camps and fishing stations. Then, in 1911, Francis decides he wants to complete his public-school education. The band council refuses to help him pay for room and board. So, Francis enlists the help of the Parry Sound Crown attorney, Walter Lockwood Haight.

In January 1912, Francis receives the financial aid he sought and begins attending school. Finally, he does well in his studies, and learns to play and read music. His many talents are just beginning to surface.

In the summer of 1912, Francis works as a marine fireman for the Department of Marine and Fisheries. He contracts typhoid fever in 1913, but is nursed back to health by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Parry Sound.

Enlistment

At first, the Canadian government discourages Indigenous, and other ethnic minorities from military service. By 1916, however, as casualties rise overseas, the CEF becomes increasingly desperate for volunteers and Indigenous soldiers (particularly Treaty Indians like Francis) encouraged to enlist.

In August 1914, Francis goes to the recruitment office, where he is judged physically fit for overseas service. Francis one of the first to sign on with the 23rd Regiment (Northern Pioneers) overseas contingent in August 1914. He indicates his occupation as Fireman and adds None under next-of-kin.

Francis also indicates his year of birth as 1891, although some sources place his year of birth as 1889. He stands 5’10” tall, 150 pounds, with dark complexion, dark brown eyes, and black hair. Naturally, his vision and hearing are perfect. Francis one of the first of more than 4000 Indigenous soldiers to volunteer for overseas service in the Great War.

A superior marksman and scout

Francis sails to England in October 1914 aboard the SS LAURENTIC with the first contingent, one of 30 ships that carries 30,617 Canadian soldiers to England.

Within weeks of volunteering, Francis becomes one of the original members of the 1st Battalion. After a few months of training on Salisbury Plain, Francis and his regiment sent to France in February 1915. Along with the rest of the approximately 20,000-strong 1st Canadian Division.

Sniping was the specialty of the man his fellow soldiers called Peggy. It has been written of him. His iron nerves, patience and superb marksmanship helped make him an outstanding sniper. Peggy has already impressed his comrades during training. He is the best shot.

In addition, Pegahmagabow will develop a reputation as a daring, innovative, and very capable scout in the field.

Western Front

The 1st Battalion experience heavy action almost as soon they arrive on the battlefield. Typical route of a soldier into Belgium first passes through the village of Armentieres.

Second Battle of Ypres

Second Battle of Ypres, the enemy introduced a new deadly weapon, poison gas. Revisionist history paints the Battle of Vimy Ridge as a ‘coming of age’ for Canada.

However, it is at Ypres where Canadian soldiers proved their worth, and prevented an early German victory in the Great War.

“You men fight like hell.”

A captured German soldier, 23 April 1915.

On 26 August 1915, Private Francis Pegahmagabow appointed Lance-Corporal.

First commendation – Military Medal

During his first year of service, Lance-Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow becomes one of the first Canadians to be earn the Military Medal. The citation from the London Gazette No. 29608, 3 June 1916.

For continuous service as a messenger from February 14th 1915 to February 1916. He carried messages with great bravery and success during the whole of the actions at Ypres, Festubert and Givenchy. In all his work he has consistently shown a disregard for danger and his faithfulness to duty is highly commendable.

Military Medal Citation

Battle of Flers-Courcelette

On 14 September 1916, Lance-Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow reverts to ranks at his own request in order join the battle at Courcelette. Private Francis Pegahmagabow wounded on 19 September 1916, during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Struck in the leg by fragments of an artillery shell, and invalided to England.

Peg Wounded

Francis admitted 2nd South General Hospital, Bristol, GSW Left leg, 26 September 1916. To Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bear Wood, Wokingham Berks, 18 October 1916. GSW Left leg, slight. Discharged 9 November 1916. Francis is not rushed back to his unit yet, for he is admitted Bramshott Military Hospital, upper hernia, 6 March 1917, and later discharged on 14 March 1917.

Second Tour of Duty

Finally, Private Francis Pegahmagabow returns to the Western Front on 12 April 1917, for his second tour of duty. Pegahmagabow catches up with his unit near Farbus Wood.

Just prior to the Second Battle of Passchendaele, Private Francis Pegahmagabow appointed Corporal, on 1 November 1917.

Second Battle of Passchendaele

The 1st Battalion joins the assault near the village of Passchendaele. Here, roughly 20,000 Allied soldiers crawl from shell crater to shell crater, through water and mud. With two British divisions, the Canadian Corps attacks and takes what is left of the village. Then, they hold it for five days, until reinforcements arrive.

However, the Canadians suffer 16,000 casualties at Passchendaele, and Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow earns his first bar to the Military Medal.

Military Medal Bar

The Military Medal citation, London Gazette No. 30573, 13 March 1918 reads:

At Passchendaele Nov. 6th/7th, 1917, this NCO [non-commissioned officer] did excellent work. Before and after the attack he kept in touch with the flanks. Advising the units he had seen, this information proving the success of the attack and saving valuable time in consolidating. He also guided the relief to its proper place after it had become mixed up.

Military Medal Bar Citation

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow Dangerously Ill

Admitted No. 22 C.C.S, Pneumonia, 19 December 1917. Dangerously ill. Slight improvement on 29 December 1917. Francis is invalided to England again and admitted to Chicago General Hospital, 4 January 1918. Admitted General Military Hospital, Colchester, 14 January 1918 and later admitted Queen Mary’s Hospital, Stratford, Colchester, slightly improved, 17 January 1918. Progressing satisfactorily, quite comfortable. Finally, admitted Military Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epsom, 7 February 1918.

Upper Hernia

Captain H.C. Wallace notes Francis has pain in lower part of chest on deep respiration, on 12 March 1918. This is an upper hernia which Francis will later request an operation for during his demobilization in 1919. Discharged to No. 2 Canadian Casualty Depot, Bramshott Camp, 18 March 1918. Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow returns to the Western Front for his third tour of duty.

Third Tour of Duty

The spring of 1918 is quiet for the Canadian Corps with the Final German Spring Offensive avoiding the Canadians. The 1st Battalion participates in the Canadian Corps Sports Championships on 1 July 1918, at Tinques. Then, the remainder of the month is spent in training, and secretively moving the Canadian Corps south for the Battle of Amiens.

Battle of Scarpe

During the opening stages of the Battle of Amiens, the 1st Battalion were in reserve for the attacking troops.

Military Medal Second Bar

The 1st Battalion relieved the 3rd Division in the line on 16 August 1918. In their next action, Pegahmagabow would earn his second bar to the Military Medal in the Battle of the Scarpe. The 1st Division Order No. 5465 of 3 October 1918 reads:

During the operations of August 30, 1918, at Orix Trench, near Upton Wood, when his company were almost out of ammunition and in danger of being surrounded, this NCO went over the top under heavy MG [machine gun] and rifle fire and brought back sufficient ammunition to enable the post to carry on and assist in repulsing heavy enemy counter-attacks.

Military Medal Second Bar Citation

The Battle of Upton Wood

On 30 August 1918, the 1st Battalion reaches it’s objectives after a powerful opening barrage. However, many men are claimed by heavy enemy machine-gun fire. While taking part the attack near Upton Wood, North of Hendecourt-lez-Cagnicourt, Private Jacob Isaac, 1st Battalion is killed. Jacob was from the Six Nations Reserve. He was hit in the heart by an enemy bullet – death being instantaneous. Peggy knew Jacob since May 1917, when Jacob had first joined the 1st Battalion. Jacob had been wounded at the Battle of Hill 70, and had only recently returned to his unit.

The 1st Battalion losses are heavy, with many falling to machine-gun fire. During the morning, sixty men are killed.

Private Jacob Isaac

Later in the day, forty-two, including Francis’s friend, Private Jacob Isaac 739554, immediately buried in a new battlefield cemetery. Jacob the son of Silas and Lucy Isaac, of Ohsweken Six Nations Reserve, Ontario. Either the battle, and/or the burial of many of his friends, including Jacob, pushes Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow to the breaking-point.

Lance Corporal Henry Norwest MM & Bar

Another heralded Canadian sniper of the Great War, Lance Corporal Henry Norwest tallied 115 kills. Son of Louis & Genevieve Louie, of Sacred Heart, Alberta. Henry born in 1884, and of Métis French-Cree descent.

On 18 August 1918, Henry’s luck ran out as he went to hunt a German sniper’s nest, just south of Hallu, France. This time, the hunter had become the prey, and the enemy sniper spotted him first, and Henry instantly killed, aged 34. A comrade mentioned, “It must have been a damned good sniper that got Norwest”.

Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Line

After suffering such heavy casualties, it would be normal to pull the 1st Battalion out of the line into Reserve. Instead, the 1st Battalion in action again on 2 September 1918 at BUISSY SWITCH, the Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Line. At 08h00 on 3 September 1918, in a forward patrol, Francis finds the SWITCH LINE unoccupied, and sees the Germans retreating across the dry Canal du Nord.

Shell Shock

Two days later, the 1st Battalion marches back to the relative safety of WAILLY WOOD CAMP at Chérisy. On 8 September 1918, the 1st Battalion begins training in MARNE CAMP, Agnez-lès-Duisans. However, Francis not well. During a lecture by Major L B Unwin MC to the NCOs, on 10 September 1918, Francis’ unusual behavior causes much concern. On 15 September 1918, the 1st Battalion entrain for Acq, but Francis purposely left behind.

Return to England

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow has seen his last day in battle. He returns to England for the third time, and he begins a long recovery and eventual trip back to Canada. Admitted to No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, 15 September 1918, then admitted to No.14 Canadian Field Ambulance, 17 September 1918. To No.12 Stationary Hospital, St. Pol, 24 September 1918, and finally admitted No 3 General Hospital, Le Treport, N.Y.D. (Shell shock), 2 October 1918.

Invalided to England, sick, 5 November 1918. From 11 November 1918 to 10 January 1918, Francis held as a mental suspect on account of certain suspicions and actions toward his superior in rank. Admitted Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, 7 November 1918. Admitted Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington, 11 November 1918. Diagnosis: Mental change, later altered to Exhaustion Psychosis.

Exhaustion Psychosis

At first, Francis says that he was held as a ‘suspect’ mental case, and the reason for this is that his Sgt.-Maj. and Captain were down on him, and that his senior NCO ordered him to change his post without it being in written orders, and he refused to do this. He also states that he saw a Canadian Medical Officer near a well, and suspected him of being a German spy, as he had no instrument for testing the water out of the well. He held the Officer up, but, later the Officer proved to be a Canadian.

Francis is examined again a week later. His complaints concern the same subjects, but the details of the events are contradictory. For instance, the event at the well now has the Medical Officer, and others, accusing Francis of being the spy. Francis is, as the doctors describe, mentally exhausted. He is suffering from what is known today as PTSD.

PTSD

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow is examined at the No.5 Canadian General Hospital in Liverpool on 29 March 1919. He is in good physical condition, and shows no signs of dementia. However, Francis does complain of frequent headaches, and even more troubling, is his memory. At times he is absolutely blank, and at others normal. His cough causes him pain in his head. His upper-hernia has yet to be treated. Francis also complains his eyes are failing him.

During the examination, Francis reveals he was wounded four times, receiving treatment only once. He was buried three times, and blown up once. Francis also mentions the reason for his depression is that it was caused by his CSM. He also admits to having had some trouble with other men in the hospital while getting dressed in the morning.

Still suffering from PTSD, Lt-.Col H L Burris recommends Francis be kept under observation for another 2-3 months, on 6 April 1919. Major Burke, Director of Medical Services approves the following day at Liverpool, as Francis embarks for Canada.

Post-war life

In April 1919, Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow invalids to Canada. At No.2 District Depot, T.o.S. on 15 April 1919. Admitted St. Andrew’s Military Hospital, Toronto, 26 April 1919. Discharged 7 May 1919. Discharged from service 13 May 1919.

Afterward, Francis joins the Algonquin Regiment in the non-permanent active militia. Following in the steps of his father and grandfather, he becomes chief of the Parry Island Band, and later a councilor. Finally, a member of Canada’s Indian Hall of Fame.

Early photos of Francis do not reveal he had a great smile, just like Captain Raymond Collishaw, perhaps Canada’s Greatest Pilot of the Great War.

Pegahmagabow died on the Shawanaga First Nation reserve in 1952.

Legacy

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow rarely spoke of his military accomplishments. However, his son Duncan recalls being told that his father was responsible for capturing 300 enemy soldiers. If true, this would certainly eclipse the feat of Corporal Alvin C. York (132 prisoners).

My mother [Eva] told me he used to go behind enemy lines, rub shoulders with the enemy forces and never get caught. Duncan also remembers that Pegahmagabow felt very strongly about his country. Mostly, he sees his father as a peaceful man. He was always saying how we have to live in harmony with all living things in this world.

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow may have been Canada’s Greatest Soldier in the Great War. He also may have been a great inspiration for one of Canada’s Greatest Soldiers of the Second World War and the Korean War. Sergeant Thomas George Prince MM. He was also an Ojibwa warrior.

Best Snipers for over 100 Years

The greatest sniper of the Great War without a doubt Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow.

I’ve been saying this forever. Canadian snipers are the best in the world. The sniper training program has been around for a long time. It’s the foundation, and it’s been retooled from lessons learned in Afghanistan. We’ve built it to be the best. – Cpl. Rob Furlong.

I have been very impressed with the young people in our special forces that I have interacted with overseas. Corporals and master corporals: bright and articulate. I also think that in general our people are often capable of working at a higher level than the rank on their shoulder. – Dr. Chris Kilford (retired Canadian artillery officer and fellow at the Queen’s University Centre for International and Defence Policy).

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