Corporal Omer Bélanger MM and Bar in the Great War

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Bravest soldier in the Battalion

Corporal Omer Bélanger MM and Bar 198952 of the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Western Cavalry). In the span of six weeks during Canada’s Last Hundred Days, Corporal Bélanger’s actions twice merit the Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire. Omer one of the most unheralded members of the CEF in the Great War.

Omer Bélanger born 17 September 1891 in the francophone community of Ste Anne de Prescott, Ontario.

To England

Private Omer Bélanger enrolled on 12 February 1916 at Fort Frances, Ontario and assigned to the 94th Overseas Battalion. Omer stood 5′ 6″ tall, with fresh complexion, grey/green eyes and brown hair. He was Roman Catholic. Omer left Halifax on 28 June 1916 as per SS OLYMPIC. He arrived in Liverpool on 6 July 1916.

On 21 July 1916 he finds himself at Shorncliffe when transferred to the 32nd Reserve Battalion. Fined for the value of lost Kit on 26 October 1916.

To France

On 21 September 1916 Private Omer Bélanger T.o.S. by 5th Battalion. Then, he joined the 5th Battalion in France on 8 October 1916.

Stretcher Bearers going to his help in Hedge Row Trench (The Bluff). (5th Battalion). August, 1916. MIKAN No. 3395781

Private Omer Bélanger wounded at Vimy Ridge, GSW right forearm. Then, admitted No.3 Cdn Hospital Boulogne on 11 April 1917. Finally, admitted No.3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, 19 April 1917.

Evacuation to England

Then, to 3rd Northern General Hospital at Sheffield England, 14 April 1917. In addition, on 6 May 1917, admitted to the Canadian Military Convalescent Hospital, in Woodcote Park, Epson, England. Finally, Private Omer Bélanger discharged on 15 June.

MIKAN No. 3523048 Corporal Omer Bélanger — Bramshott Camp. Presentation of Colours to 58th Battalion by General Currie [Presentation of King’s and Regimental Colours by Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Currie. Maj. A.H. Juksch on extreme left; Maj. D. Carmichael right of Lt. Gen. Currie / Currie’s left Lt. Col. R.A. Macfarlane with back to camera]. MIKAN No. 3523048

Omer assigned to S.R. Depot (Saskatchewan Regimental Deport) at the Bramshott Canadian Military Camp. Omer completes his will on 22 November 1917, indicating he will once again be proceeding overseas. Noted Omer has a congenital deformation of his left foot, not considered as a disability when examined on 14 December 1917 by Captain D. Corcoran, CAMC at Bramshott. Finally, released on 17 December 1917 with a clean bill of health.

Return to France

On 16 March 1918, transferred out from Bramshott and T.o.S. by the 5th Battalion. Private Omer Bélanger headed back to the Western Front.

Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Line

Military Medal

Corps Order 1885. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men – Corporal Omer Belanger, 5th Battalion, CEF.
London Gazette No. 31142, p. 1237, 24 January 1919.

The action in which Private Omer Bélanger earned his Military Medal detailed in a card held by his family today.

Private Omer Bélanger promoted to Corporal on 7 October 1918, just days before he earns the Bar to the MM.

The Battle of Cambrai

Bar to Military Medal

The action for Corporal Omer Bélanger’s Bar to the Military Medal likely not 10 October 1918. The enemy in full-withdrawal, as the adjutant notes the 9th and 10th to be particularly quiet days – casualties NIL. The 5th Battalion moving forward on 11 October 1918, and relieving the 7th Battalion in the line, immediately east of the village of Noyelles-sous-Bellonne, Pas-de-Calais on 12 October 1918.

The enemy found to be holding firm on the other side of Canal de la Sensée. Outposts pushed as close as possible to the canal, and skilful maneuvering results in only five men wounded. Perhaps at this time Omer is among the forward party, and earns his second recommendation for the Military Medal.

Corps Order 1925. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Military Medal to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men – Corporal Omer Belanger MM, 5th Battalion, CEF.
London Gazette No. 31257, p. 4123, 28 March 1919.

MM and Bar Corporal Omer Bélanger — MM and Bar

Return to England

On 22 March 1919, Corporal Omer Bélanger returns to Bramshott, Canadian Corps Camp. Then, on 26 April 1919, Omer S.o.S (Struck off Strength) from the Overseas Military Force of Canada.

Return to Canada

On 29 April 1919 Omer boards SS BALTIC for his return to Canada.

RMS_Baltic_old_postcard Corporal Omer Bélanger — RMS BALTIC postcard

SS BALTIC

The SS BALTIC relayed ATHINAI’s warning to TITANIC at 1:42 p.m. on 14 April 1912. During sinking, SS BALTIC in radio contact with SS TITANIC, 300 miles northwest of BALTIC’s track.

Then, in a wireless message relayed by MINIA from an unknown ship to the mainland, SS BALTIC erroneously reported to have 250 TITANIC survivors on board. In addition, the first person on the mainland to receive the communication regarding the sinking of SS TITANIC, the author’s maternal grandfather. Nineteen-year-old telegraph operator William Richard Madigan in North Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

Demobilization

On 11 May 1919 Corporal Omer Bélanger signs his demobilization documents in Port Arthur, Ontario.

Sainte-Anne-de-Prescott

Omer Bélanger died 11 June 1956, at the Veteran Pavillion, Ottawa Civic Hospital. Buried in the cemetery of Glen Robertson, close to his hometown in Sainte-Anne-de-Prescott, Ontario.

Omer Belanger Grave — Glen Robertson Cemetery. CEFRG hopes Omer’s inscription will be corrected: Caporal Omer Bélanger MM et Bar.

The construction of the village’s church began on 9 August 1883 in order to celebrate the first mass in the sacristy on 13 January 1884. The bell acquired from the Ernest Chanteloup Company that same year. The church blessed by Bishop Duhamel on 4 September 1884, and the first resident pastor, Joseph E. Coderre, arrived on 9 June 1885.

Ste Anne de Prescott Corporal Omer Bélanger — Ste Anne de Prescott

In 1897, the construction of the transepts completed, and the church acquired by Casavant Frères. Then, in 1914 the interior greatly enhanced through the paintings, executives and faux marble columns made by the painter Toussaint-Xénophon Renaud. In 1921, the cemetery embellished with an angel of the resurrection of Louis Jobin. The interior restorations of 1958 and 2002 refreshed the colours of the church but several decorative elements lost. The church has a painting by Toussaint-Xénophon Renaud representing the death of St. Joseph, which was restored in 2013.

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Caporal Omer Bélanger MM and Bar in the Great War