Wounded British troops at 43 Casualty Clearing Station, Frevent © IWM (Q 333)

Private Joseph Roussin MM in the Great War

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Private Joseph Roussin from Oka, Quebec attested on 16 July 1915 in Ottawa. Joe marked his attestation paper with an ‘x’. Lt Col Douglas Richmond Street of the 77th Battalion approving officer. As a Roman Catholic, Street hoped to appeal to French-Canadian volunteers when organizing the 77th. Joseph, a lumberman standing 5′ 6″ tall, 150 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. Next of kin Mrs Jeanine Roussin (wife) of Oka, Quebec.

Cemetery sign at Pine Hill Cemetery, Oka. Joseph Roussin
Cemetery sign at Pine Hill Cemetery, Oka.

Joseph a Mohawk Warrior from Kanehsatà:ke, a settlement on the shore of the Lake of Two Mountains in southwestern Quebec, Canada. In the Haudenosaunee tradition; the Rotisken’rakéhte, often referred to as the Mohawk Warrior Society, responsible for national defense and public security in the Territory of Kahnawake.

Six Nations wampum
The Aionwá:tha Wampum Belt (above)
and Two Row Wampum Belt (Below).

The people of the Six Nations believe they are endowed with a unique heritage. Formed from the living earth, and sharing the very breath of Tharonhiawá:kon, their lineage is a special one. They call themselves Onkwehón:we, or Original people.

77th Battalion

Organized in July 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D R Street. Mobilized at Ottawa, and also recruited in Ottawa, Lindsay, Smith Falls, Arnprior, Renfrew, Finch, Alexandria, Cornwall, Iroquois, Shawville, Quyon, Buckingham, Hull, Aylmer. Draft of 255 sent to England in October 1915, and also draft of 100 sent to 38th Battalion in Bermuda in December 1915.

MIKAN No 3194673_View_of_the_Library_of_Parliament_and_the_Centre_Block_on_the_day_after_the_Cent
View of the Library of Parliament and the Centre Block on the day after the fire. MIKAN No 3194673

On 3 February 1916, a mysterious fire destroyed the Parliament buildings, killing one MP and several others. Soldiers from the 77th rushed to help control the blaze.

In October 1915 Private Joseph Roussin forfeits 8 days pay (19-10-15), and also in November 1915 forfeits 3 days pay (17-11-15). Private Joseph Roussin then transferred to 38th Battalion, Bermuda.

38th Battalion

Organized in January 1915 initially under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel C M Edwards. Mobilized at Ottawa and also recruited in Ottawa and district (Brockville, Perth, Prescott and Alexandria). Draft of 5 officers and 251 other ranks sent to England on 24 June 1915. Embarked from Montreal 1 August 1915 aboard CALEDONIAN, and later disembarked in Bermuda 12 August 1915 with a strength of 35 officers, 959 other ranks. Embarked Bermuda 30 May 1916 aboard GRAMPIAN, and later arrived in England 9 June 1916 with a strength of 35 officers, 1001 other ranks. Arrived in France 13 August 1916 with the 4th Canadian Division 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 7th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Lieut.-Col. C.M. Edwards, D.S.O., and Maj. T.W. MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O., 38th Battalion. Joseph Roussin
Lieut.-Col. C.M. Edwards, D.S.O., and Maj. T.W. MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O., 38th Battalion. MIKAN No. 3521126

1 January to 22 January 1916, Private Joseph Roussin fined $2.00 for drunkenness. Proceeds to discharge Depot St John’s, NB on transfer 22 January 1916. Returns to St John on 27 January 1916, and Private Joseph Roussin transferred to 69th Battalion.

69th Battalion

Organized in July 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J A Dansereau. Mobilized at Montreal, and also recruited in Quebec Province. Embarked from Saint John 17 April 1916 aboard SCANDINAVIAN and later disembarked England 27 April 1916 with a strength of 34 officers, 1023 other ranks. Drafts totalling 720 to 22nd Battalion and also 409 to 23rd Battalion between June and November 1916. Personnel of 41st Battalion taken on strength from 23rd Battalion on 13 July 1916, and later absorbed by 10th Canadian Reserve Battalion 4 January 1917.

SS SCANDINAVIAN. George Metcalf Archival Collection CWM 19920085-1011 Joseph Roussin
SS SCANDINAVIAN. This photograph shows Canadian troops aboard the SS Scandinavian in October 1914, either departing from Canada or arriving in England on their trans-Atlantic voyage. George Metcalf Archival Collection CWM 19920085-1011

Sailed from Halifax per SS SCANDINAVIAN 17 April 1916. Private Joseph Roussin entered France on 27 August 1916 with the 22nd Battalion.

22nd Battalion

Organized in October 1914 initially under the command of Colonel F M Gaudet. Mobilized at St-Jean, Québec, and also recruited throughout the province of Québec. Embarked from Halifax 20 May 1915 aboard SAXONIA and later disembarked England 29 May 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1097 other ranks. Disembarked in France 15 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 10th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Draining Trenches. 22nd Infantry Battalion (French Canadian). [A researcher has provided information identifing the man on the left as Sapper William Henry Snow of the Canadian Engineers.]
Draining Trenches. 22nd Infantry Battalion (French Canadian). [A researcher has provided information identifying the man on the left as Sapper William Henry Snow of the Canadian Engineers.] MIKAN No. 3520988

Private Joseph Roussin attached to 5th Field Company, Canadian Engineers, 10 November 1916, ceases to be attached 14 February 1917.

First Wound Stripe – Private Joseph Roussin

On 9 April 1917, Private Joseph Roussin GSW Head and admitted to No 6 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS).

Arriving at Casualty Clearing Station from the Front. October, MIKAN No. 3395813 Joseph Roussin
Arriving at Casualty Clearing Station from the Front. October, MIKAN No. 3395813

Second Wound Stripe – Private Joseph Roussin

On 16 August 1917, Private Joseph Roussin GSW right arm. In the trenches in or about Cite St Laurent along with 48 Other Ranks wounded (7 killed). Private Joseph Roussin later admitted to No 16 General Hospital, Le Treport, 27 August 1917.

Princess Mary inspects Red Cross nurses and Voluntary Aid Detachment workers at Le Treport, 26th November 1918. Princess Mary had begun a nursing course at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, working two days a week in the Alexandra Ward earlier in 1918, eventually supporting the Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Women’s Land Army, and the Girl Guides. She served as honorary president of the British Girl Guide Association from 1920 until her death in 1965.

Military Medal of Private Joseph Roussin

Awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, 30 October 1917. London Gazette No 30364 dated December 1917.

Military Medal - Private Clifford Moss 477609 Joseph Roussin
Military Medal – Private Clifford Moss 477609

Third Wound Stripe – Private Joseph Roussin MM

On 25 January 1918, Private Joseph Roussin MM suffers a GSW to his scalp. Noted as ordinary trench warfare, and later admitted to No 57 CCS 31 January 1918.

MIKAN No. 3604130 Joseph Roussin
Nurses and doctors in the surgical tent (operating room) at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport, France. MIKAN No. 3604130

Fourth Wound Stripe – Private Joseph Roussin MM

On 2 April 1918, Private Joseph Roussin MM wounded slightly and remained at duty. On this day, the beloved Hon Capt G E R Crochetiere instantly killed by a shell. Eight Other Ranks (including Joseph) wounded.

Honorary Captain and Chaplain Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetiere
Honorary Captain and Chaplain Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetière

Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetière

With 1918 the Corps and the Chaplain Service faced its sternest test. The German attacks in the spring, the counterattacks that followed until the Armistice, created new problems in a war of movement. Some of the chaplains again wounded slightly, Fathers Madden (twice), Tompkins and O’Reilly, while Father Nicholson was gassed. Father Crochetière killed 2 April 1918.

Honorary Captain and Chaplain Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetiere, died 2 April 1918. Bailleulmont Communal Cemetery, 5 April 2017. CEFRG.ca
Honorary Captain and Chaplain Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetière, died 2 April 1918. Bailleulmont Communal Cemetery, 5 April 2017. CEFRG.ca

The ambulance men, the men of his own battalion, and in fact any who came in contact with him, spoke of him as a kind and real father. It was a sad sight to witness the cruel work of execution of that German shell, but one realized that here was a priest who had died doing a priest’s work, and no more need be said in his praise. One expression, however, was used by many of his boys, and may serve to show us as priests, how our work is appreciated if done properly. ‘He was a real father to us. He worked for us and we never had to go without Mass and the Sacraments.

Father E J MacDonald

Fifth Wound Stripe – Private Joseph Roussin MM

On 28 May 1918, Private Joseph Roussin MM admitted No 6 Stationary Hospital, Frevent, GSW left leg.

Wounded British troops at 43 Casualty Clearing Station, Frevent © IWM (Q 333) Joseph Roussin
Wounded British troops at 43 Casualty Clearing Station, Frevent © IWM (Q 333)

Private Joseph Roussin posted to Casualty Company on 15 December 1918.

Pine Hill Cemetery, Oka

Pte Joseph Roussin five times wounded in the Great War and awarded the Military Medal returned to Oka and his wife Jeanine following demobilization.

Private Joseph Roussin MM, 14 July 2022, Oka Cemetery CEFRG
Private Joseph Roussin MM, 14 July 2022, Pine Hill Cemetery, Oka. CEFRG

Private Joseph Roussin MM died 8 March 1949 and buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Oka, Quebec.

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