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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.]](https://i0.wp.com/cefrg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3520988-a000396-v8.jpg?ssl=1)
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 died 8 March 1949 and buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Oka, Quebec.
OKA
At least five Iroquois Indians enlisted from the little village of Oka.
James Gaspe
Private James Gaspe 57834, 20th (Central Ontario Regiment) Battalion, son of John Baptiste Gaspe (Chief of the Iroquois Tribe of Canadian Indians) and Felecile Bonspille (his wife), of Oka, County of Two Mountains. Killed-in-action on 25 June 1916 and buried at LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium
John Gaspe
Brother of James Gaspe, Private John Gaspe survived the Great War.