By Joe Corrigan
In 2014, Clint Eastwood produced a major motion picture
entitled “American Sniper” starring Bradley Cooper. The movie was based on the
autobiography of Chris Kyle, the most effective U.S. sniper in the conflict in
Iraq. The most prolific sniper of the First World War was Francis Pegahmagabow,
an Objibwe who was born on what is now the Shawanaga First Nation near Nobel,
Ontario. It is believed that Francis Pegahmagabow was born on March 8th or 9th, 1889. In Objibwe his name was Binaaswi “the wind that blows
off”. His parents both passed away of an unspecified illness at an early age
and Francis was raised by Noah Nebimanyquod who had also raised Francis’s father.
He grew up in Shawanaga where he learned how to hunt and fish and was guided in
his values by a mix of Catholicism and Anishnaabe spirituality. He completed
his education in 1912 and worked that summer for the Department of Marine and
Fisheries on the Great Lakes as a marine fire fighter. During this time Francis
was given a small leather pouch that he believed gave him special protection
from danger, a fact that certainly had an impact on his military career.
Shortly after the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914,
Francis Pegahmagabow enlisted in the Canadian Army, despite government
discrimination that initially discouraged aboriginals from joining the war
effort. After a period of training at Valcartier, Quebec, Francis sailed for
England with the rest of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). By February
1915, the CEF took its place in the trenches of Belgium where Francis was
posted to the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion of the 1st Canadian Division. The 2nd Battle of Ypres in late April of 1915 was
where Francis first saw combat along the rest of the CEF. This was the battle where
the Germans unleashed chlorine gas for the first time in the war. The
Canadians faced this new threat and held their line with great courage and
determination. It was during this time that Francis, or “Peggy” as he was known
to his mates, began to establish a reputation as an effective sniper and scout.
Shortly following the battle Francis was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was recommended
by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Albert Creighton, for the
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his “disregard for danger and
faithfulness to duty”. The DCM was considered second only to the Victoria Cross
in terms of importance but Creighton’s recommendation was downgraded to the
Military Medal (MM).
Francis was wounded during the Battle of the Somme in late
1916 but returned to the line in time for the Battle of Passchendaele, around
the 6th or 7th of November 1917, where he earned a bar to
his Military Medal, the equivalent of winning the medal once again. On August
30, 1918, during the Battle of the Scarpe, Francis braved heavy machine gun and
rifle fire to bring ammunition to his post that had nearly run out and helped
repulse several heavy German counter attacks. For this action, Francis was awarded
a second bar to his Military Medal.
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| Francis Pegahmagabow, 1945 |
Over the course of the war, Frances earned the 1914-15
Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal along with his Military Medal
and 2 bars and was promoted to Corporal. He was credited 378 sniper kills.
During his work as a scout he would often infiltrate enemy trenches at night,
often taking pieces of uniforms from the German soldiers as they slept. His
prowess in this regard resulted in his capture of over 300 prisoners over the
course of the fighting. Francis’ faith in the special protection of that little
leather pouch saw him taking chances that others would not dare to copy.
By the end of the First World War, Francis Pegahmagabow was
the most decorated First Nations soldier in the CEF. He married in later life
and fathered six children. He was an advocate for First Nations issues and was
twice elected chief of the Parry Island First Nations.
For those who wish to learn more about Francis Pegahmagabow
there is a Wikipedia page on his life. Francis is also the subject of a book
entitled “Pegahmagabow: Legendary Warrior, Forgotten Hero” by Adrian Hayes
which was published in 2003. The You Tube series “The Great War” has an episode
of its feature “Who did what in WW1?” on Francis’ life. You can find the link by clicking here.
As a tribute to this intrepid warrior, a life size statue
of Francis was erected in his honour on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st,
2016 in Parry Sound, Ontario. The figure of Pegahmagabow has an eagle on one
arm, a Ross rifle slung from its shoulder and a caribou at his feet representing
the Caribou Clan that he belonged too. In case you’re wondering from what was
noted in a previous edition of “In Flanders Fields” the Ross rifle, though
discredited due to its tendency to jam and overheat in the rapid fire
requirements of combat, was an excellent and extremely accurate firearm for the
stealthy role of the sniper.
Joe Corrigan has been Museum Manager at Lang Pioneer Village since February of 2003. He has been a lifelong student of history. His specific areas of interest are Canadian and world political, military and sports history with a particular focus on biographical works. Joe has been interpreting Sir John A. Macdonald at the Museum's Historic Dominion Day event since 2007. 