Lieutenant Cameron Donald Brant descended from the famous Chief Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea). Great-great-great-grandson of Thayendanegea. During the first major Gas Attack of the Great War, Lt Brant also the first Canadian Indigenous Warrior of the CEF to die in battle.
Tecumseh
Two hundred years ago, during the American Revolution, a great chief and Indian statesman gave his life defending what would eventually become Canada from Southern invaders.
Tecumseh, the Crouching Panther, the Shooting Star, felled to the ground by the axe of Colonel Richard Mentor Johnson, the commander of the American riflemen at Moraviantown.
Following Tecumseh’s defeat, the Six Nations Indians moved from their land in the Mohawk Valley of New York state, to a reserve provided by the Canadian government in Ontario.
Brant’s Ford, Ontario
Chief Joseph Brant the leader of these exiles when they crossed into British territory, settling in what was originally named after the chief – Brant’s Ford. Now known as Brantford, home to more than 100,000 inhabitants.
Sir Alexander Graham Bell
In the 1870’s, Sir Alexander Graham Bell purchased a farm at Tutelo Heights (now called Tutela Heights), near Brant’s Ford.
Home of Alexander Graham Bell in 1949, two miles south of Brantford, Ontario. Here the telephone invented and the first transmission of the human voice over miles of wire accomplished.
It was here Bell continued his interest in the study of the human voice. When he discovered the Six Nations Reserve across the river at Onondaga, he learned the Mohawk language and translated its unwritten vocabulary into Visible Speech symbols.
In recognition, Sir Alexander Graham Bell awarded the title of Honorary Chief and participated in a ceremony where he donned a Mohawk headdress and danced traditional dances.
Early Life of Cameron Donald Brant
Cameron born on 12 August 1887, the eldest son of Robert D Brant and Lydia Brant of Hagersville, Ontario. Robert Brant a prosperous and industrious farmer of the Six Nation tribe of Indians, with a farm within four miles of Hagersvillle.
Flossie M Brant, a lady of Caucasian extraction, Cameron’s wife, they having been married on 4 July 1911. Living at 31 Spring Street, Hamilton, Ontario. Occupation, Sheet Metal Worker.
Mistreatment
Many jurisdictions in Canada zealously enforced punitive actions against members of the Six Nations at the time Cameron Donald Brant enlisted. The hypocrisy absurd. For instance, illegal to be in possession of moose meat. Yet several hundred Indigenous soldiers will enlist with the CEF in 1914 – Cameron one of the very first, if not first, to do so.
Enlistment of Lt Cameron Donald Brant
Without hesitation, Cameron enlisted in the CEF just three days after Britain’s declaration of war against Germany on 4 August 1914.
Joining the active service contingent from the 37th Haldimand Regiment, in which section of the militia he held a lieutenant’s certificate.
2nd Row: 1st from left – Wilf MacDonald 3rd from right – Erin Smith
Front Row: 1st from left – Charlie Hughes 1st on right – Earl Fissette
Lieutenant Cameron Donald Brant held this rank when he joined the active service contingent, which joined to the 4th Infantry Battalion. It included the Dufferin Rifles, the Haldimand Rifles, the 25th Brant Dragoons and also others.
4th Canadian Infantry Battalion
The 4th Battalion organized in Valcartier Camp September 1914 and composed of recruits from MD2 (Aurora, Brampton, Brantford, Hamilton, and also Niagara Falls).
Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W S Buell, replaced within days by Lieutenant-Colonel R H Labatt. The 4th Battalion embarked Quebec City 23 September 1914 aboard TYROLIA, and later disembarked in England 14 October 1914, with a strength of 44 officers, 1121 other ranks.
Henry John Lamb would also capture far more rare photographs than these at the Second Battle of Ypres in April of 1915.
England
Quiet and unobtrusive, Lieutenant Cameron Donald Brant quickly recognized in the battalion as a man who knew how to handle his men. Major Edward Thomas Kelly had this to say of Lieutenant Cameron Brant.
“Lieut. Brant is with me. He is a splendid officer, and stands very high in the battalion.”
Salisbury Plains
“On the way to Salisbury Plains, the Chief asked by some of his brother officers to instruct them in the mysteries of an Indian war dance. After many rehearsals the dance perfected to the highest degree possible to the white men.“
Major Edward Thomas Kelly
“Then to the accompaniment of drums, many war whoops, and weird, dreamy singing, the officers, led by Lt Brant, nightly performed their celebrated dance on the deck of the transport.”
Major Edward Thomas Kelly
France
The 4th Battalion disembarked in France on 11 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade.
“At the front, Lt Brant maintained the family reputation for bravery, combined with natural Indian cunning and recklessness. Praise from commanding officers and admiration from his men were called forth by the manly characteristics exemplified by this Red Man from Canada while under fire in the trenches.“
William Marchington
William Marchington, the war correspondent, writing from London continued.
“A letter from the senior officer of his battalion refers to the gallantry of Lieut. C.D. Brant, a descendant of the Indian Chief Brant. Young Chief Brant has figured in several exploits, which won the admiration of his chief officers. “The boys will follow him anywhere,” Says the letter.”
Second Battle of Ypres
The German Army launched the first successful gas attack of the Great War late in the afternoon of 22 April 1915. Previous attempts against the British Army had failed due to a sudden change in wind direction.
Lt-Col A P Birchall and Lt-Col F W Hill (1st Battalion) notified at 0443 hours on the morning of 23 April that two French battalions on their left flank launching a counterattack toward Pilckem at 0500 hours.
Collapse
On the Canadian front, the 4th Battalion would lead the assault with the 1st Battalion in support. However, the left flank had collapsed, suffering heavily from the effects of the gas attack the day before. The entire civilian population retreating with the French and Algerians.
Counter-attack
Lt-Col Birchall launched his assault between 0550 and 0630 hours. 1st CFA kept abreast of progress by runners in order to provide support. Shortly after 0700 Birchall reported progress slow and that enemy rifle fire heavy. Urgent artillery support called for at 0820 hours. The French advance had failed to materialize, and they realized then their left flank exposed.
At 1050 hours Birchall reports casualties heavy, and whole line digging in from the Ypres-Pilkem road to about 600 yards east. The Germans are only 400 yards away. Lt-Col Birchall taking command of C Company after its commander wounded during an assault towards the enemy. In a second assault which managed to gain a further 200 yards, Lt-Col Birchall killed.
Casualties
By the time the 4th Battalion withdraws, 18 officers had become casualties, with 487 other ranks killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Only 5 officers, and 250 troops remained. The 4th Battalion finished as a fighting force until reinforcements could be added and trained for trench warfare.
Death of Lieutenant Cameron Donald Brant
Though reported as missing and killed in action on 24 April 1915, more likely Lieutenant Cameron Donald Brant perished in the charge the previous day, with his commander, Lt-Col Birchall. Of the 90 men killed in the charge, only seven bodies recovered. The Missing, later commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
The Canadians had managed the effects of the gas well during the attack. They would not be so lucky during the second large-scale gas attack the following day, 24 April 1915.
Resolution of Condolence
One Passed to relatives of Lieutenant Cameron D. Brant by Council of Six Nation Indians.
The Six Nations’ Indians Council met yesterday, and passed a resolution of condolence to the family of the late Lieut. Cameron Donald Brant, killed in the Battle of Ypres. He a descendant of Chief Joseph Brant, and has many relatives on the reserve.
A splendidly drawn-up letter of sympathy, and recognition of services has been drawn up here and signed by representatives of officialdom of Brant County and will be forwarded to the members of the Six Nations Indians council, over the death of Lieutenant Cameron Donald Brant, a descendent of the famous fighter, Chief Joseph Brant, who the first Brant man, not a reservist, to fall in the defense of King and Country in the present war. The letter will be signed by Mayor Spence, Warden Cook and other prominent city and county officials.
Letter
Brantford May 1, 1915
To the Chiefs of the Six Nations Indians in Council, and the near relatives of the late Lieut. C.D. Brant:
We in common with the rest of our province have been deeply touched by the falling in battle of Lieut. Cameron D. Brant, the direct lineal descendant of your illustrious chief, whose name is so highly esteemed and honored throughout our country. In his fall, and in the fall of others with him, we recognize the willing sacrifice of our Indian compatriots in the defense of rights and liberties dear to every British heart.
We desire to express our appreciation of the splendid contribution the Indians have made and will continue to make to the fighting forces of our Empire.
Be assured that such nobility of purpose and sacrifice of life will go far to further cement the many units of our citizenship into one great united front in defense of King and Country.
We wish through you to extend sympathy to other homes in like manner saddened, and to commend all who may be called upon to suffer, to the loving care of the Great Spirit, Our Father in Heaven.
Signed by the Warden of the county, His Honor Judge Hardy, county members of parliament, militia, sheriff, mayor of the city, president of Ministerial Alliance, president of Patriotic and War Relief Association, president of Social Service League, press representatives, and a representative from the Women’s societies of North and South Brant and the City of Brantford.
Descendants of Thayendanegea in the Great War
Alfred Brant
Pte Alfred Brant 725047, 109th Battalion enlisted 18 December 1915, but AWOL from 20 July 1916, and declared a Deserter when his unit disembarked for England on 28 July 1916.
Richard Brant
Richard Brant 636550, 109th Battalion had 2 wives, and killed 3 May 1917 with the 2nd Battalion.
Memorial – A marble plaque at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, RR 1 Deseronto, ON erected by the local Mohawk community. This memorial dedicated to the Great veterans and war dead of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
- Reuben Sero
- Arthur Brant
- Maracle
- Thomas Mengo
- John B Maracle
- David Green
- Austin Green
- Peter Maracle
- David Green
- George Maracle
- Con Bernhart
- Philip Maracle
- Isaac Maracle
- Harry Barnhart
- Amos Green
- Ernest Brant
- Wheeler Maracle
- Harold Smart
- George Williams
- Richard Brant
- William Penn
- James Barnhart
Albert W L Crain
Corporal Albert W L Crain 10970, 4th Battalion also severely wounded at Ypres. Subsequently promoted to rank of company sergeant major.
Frank Weaver Montour
Lt Frank Weaver Montour, also served in the 4th Battalion with his brother-in-law Cameron Brant. AWOL for two weeks in January of 1916, transferred to Can Cas Ass Centre, Folkestone for discharge on being granted a commission in a new Canadian Battalion in Canada, March 1916.
Nathan F Montour
Private Nathan F Montour 11035, 4th Battalion also severly wounded at Ypres.
Alpheus James Powless
Pte Alpheus James Powless 739256 114th Battalion, went to France with the 107th Battalion. Reprimanded four times for drunkenness, he later transferred to the Canadian Engineers where his conduct improved such that he was granted a two week leave of absence. Following demobilization, and treatment for VDG in 1919, he returned to Ohsweken. He died 17 June 1950.
Isaac Powless
Pte Isaac Powless 739258 Tuscarora, Brant Co. ON, 114th Battalion, seriously ill with pericarditis at Moore Barracks Hospital in November of 1916. At this time his medical record notes he is aged 46, but looking much older. Eventually employed with the CFC at Sunningdale, and later SoS to Canada in March of 1918.
Styres Rivers
Private Styres Rivers 454093 59th Bn CEF of Oka, Quebec enlisted 26 June 1915. Admitted to Sanatorium for tuberculosis treatment 21 January 1916. Transferred to hospital in Kingston in March, but later declared a Deserter on 15 August 1916 at Kingston, Ontario.
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