Francis Pegamagobow

Francis Pegamagabow

The Second Battle of Ypres

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow or "Peggy" as his fellow soldiers called him was involved in many fierce battles. He joined the army at the first out break of the enemy in August 1914. He joined the 23rd regiment and shipped out to Europe February 15 with the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion. Peggy saw his first action on the battlefield of the seconded battle of Ypres. This was the first time the Germans used chlorine gas and the first time the allies had ever been faced with it. 168 tons of chlorine gas was released on 22 April over a four-mile front line killing about 5000 soldiers. This left a four mile gap in the ally lines but even the Germans underestimated the catastrophic effect of their new weapon and did not have the reinforcements in position to make any gain. The quick-witted allies regained the front lines using urine soaked handkerchiefs as make shift gas masks. Francis was wounded with a bullet in his leg but his strong will found him back fighting with his unit shortly after.

The Battle of the Somme

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow next saw action at the famous battle of Somme River. This conflict found the allies trying to penetrate the 15-mile long front along the Somme River and draw the Germans away from the battle of Verdun. This battle was famous in part because of the 1 million-soldier casualty count. One of those casualties was Francis Pegahmagabow who was shot but willingly returned to his unit.

Mount Sorrel

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow was involved in the battle for Mount Sorrel in June 1916. This was not a battle of great significance as far as the big picture of the war was concerned but that doesn't take away from the efforts of the soldiers that fought in this battle. For this was the battle where Peggy received his Military Medal.

Amiens

Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow received his second Military Metal Bar at the battle of Amiens.

Passchendaele

This bloody battle was fraught over the control of the village of Passchendaele. The first advance on the town was made on October 12 1917 and saw 250,000 casualties on the allies' side by the end of the battle November 6th 1917. Amongst