Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Henry Louis Norwest
In memory of:
Private Henry Louis Norwest
August 18, 1918
Military Service
435684
34
Army
Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)
50th Battalion
The battalion's star marksman earned the Military Medal in 1917 at a peak on Vimy Ridge dubbed "the Pimple". The Canadian Corps, part of a massive Allied offensive, was tasked with capturing the Ridge. Although previous Allied attempts to take it had failed, the elaborately planned Canadian assault succeeded. Most of the Ridge was taken on the first day, April 9. Three days later, the two remaining enemy positions, including the Pimple, were conquered. According to his award citation, Norwest showed "great bravery, skill and initiative in sniping the enemy after the capture of the Pimple. By his activity he saved a great number of our men's lives." The following year, Norwest was awarded a bar to his MM but this citation does not indicate the reason.
Military Medal and Bar
Additional Information
May 1, 1884
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
September 8, 1915
Calgary, Alberta
Son of Mrs. Genevieve Norwest, of Sacred Heart, Alberta.
Private Henry Louis Norwest was a Métis marksman and one of the most famous Canadian snipers in the First World War. Private Norwest was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, of French-Cree ancestry.
In his nearly three years of service with the 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion, the Lance-corporal achieved a sniping record of 115 fatal shots. The former ranch-hand and rodeo performer also merited the Military Medal and bar, making him one of roughly 830 members of the CEF to be awarded this double honour.
Commemorated on Page 479 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.
Burial Information
WARVILLERS CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
Somme, France
A. 30.
Warvillers is a village approximately 4 kilometres north of Bouchoir, a town on the main straight road from Amiens to Roye. The Churchyard is a little east of the village.
Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Digital Collection
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Photo of Henry Louis Norwest – Photo taken while as a member of 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1915. -
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Original Grave Marker – Gravesite marker erected by members 50th Battalion. -
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Photo 2 of Henry Louis Norwest – Henry Norwest as a rodeo performer prior to WWI. This one of only two known photos made public of LCpl. Norwest. -
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Grave marker – Photo of grave marker courtesy Wilf Schofield, England -
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