Chief Johnson Paudash – The Gentle Sniper

Born: January 29, 1875 - Hiawatha Ontario on Hiawatha First Nations Reserve
Enlistment: November 11, 1914 - CEF Unit: 21st Bn
Force: Sniper, WWII Veterans Guard
Unit: Canadian Expeditionary Force
Division: 21st Bn
Deceased: Age 84

Citation(s): Citation reads: For gallantry and devotion to duty. On 26th January 1918, when our trenches were heavily bombarded, Pte Paudash maintained his post and continued to snipe disregardful of danger. Seeing a Hun observing the effect of the Trench Mortars, he shot him and continued sniping at various targets while they presented themselves. During his 29 months of service in France, Pte Paudash had sniped 42 Huns. AFW 3121 27-2-18

Information provided by the Great Granddaughter of Chief Johnson Paudash

My Great Grandfather Chief Johnson Paudash was an Ojibway native, born on January 29th, 1869 on the Hiawatha First Nations Reserve; which is located on the north shore of Rice Lake, east of the Otonabee River in Ontario, Canada. He was the grandson of the last Sachem, or ‘Head Chief’, of all the Mississauga’s. He was raised at the Rice Lake Tribal Grounds and went to the Brantford Indian School for his education. He then attended the Mount Elgin Indian School for a few years and later went back to the Rice Lake Reserve.

When his training was completed, he sailed with the 21st Battalion from Folkestone, England to Boulogne, France on September 14, 1915. They became the first to cross the English Channel in broad daylight. They would fight in France for the remainder of the war.

Johnson soon became one of the top snipers of the First World War. He was known as being a very wise man who was quiet and had a calm demeanor. He was often referred to ironically as the “Gentle Sniper”. He has been officially credited for 88 kills, which he recorded on the stock of his Ross Rifle.

Shortly after his landing in Boulogne, he was sent to Messines, where, on September 22nd, he was shot in the right thigh. After recuperating from this wound, he rejoined his unit south of Ypres in Belgium.

He was an excellent sniper and scout; and had an innate talent for slipping perilously close to the enemy trenches without detection. Because of this, high ranking Generals were often put in his care for tours of the front line in France and Belgium. In fact, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of having saved the life of an Officer in the Battle of the Somme. He also carried the responsibility of leading entire battalions into position against the German forces.

Johnson Paudash was a highly decorated Soldier. Having fought at Vimy Ridge and the 3rd Battle of Passchendaele, he was awarded many medals. Among them was the Mons Star, which he was given for being part of a unit that came under exceptional fire in a short period of time. He was presented with the Allied Medal for service, and was also awarded 3 Military Medals; one was received for giving information that the enemy was massing at Hill 70 for a counter attack, which took place just 25 minutes after he made his report. His timely warning saved many lives. Another Military Medal was received for ‘Gallantry and Devotion to Duty’. On January 26, 1918, when the Canadian trenches were being heavily bombarded, Johnson bravely maintained his post and continued to snipe various targets disregardful of personal danger.

By February 1918, my Great Grandfathers battle scars were starting to get the better of him. He had shrapnel in his legs, 4 gun shot wound scars in his right thigh, calf and forehead, and multiple bayonet scars. He had chronic Nephritis and Neuritis due to his wartime service. He was almost 50 years old and his body was starting to betray him. In May of 1918, he ceased to be on command of the CCD and was sent home to Canada. On July 9, 1918, he was discharged from the Army at Kingston, Ontario because of his health. He became a Civil Servant; a rural mail carrier for the next 25 years. He also became a First Nations Chief and devoted much of his time to the interests of his people and represented them several times in deputations to Parliament in Ottawa.

I never had the honour of meeting my Great Grandfather, but I have an enormous amount of respect and pride for him. He voluntarily fought for his Country even though the Indians were specially exempted from the operation of the Military Service Act. Status Indians at the time did not have full rights of citizenship; they could not vote, and were legally treated as ‘wards’ of the Federal Government – a legal status similar to that of ‘minors’, and yet he chose to take up arms and fight for his country. Perhaps his decision can be best explained from an excerpt of a letter that he wrote to a friend from Coburg to let them know of the sad news of the death in action of an Indian comrade. He quoted John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” And perhaps his enlistment was destined, as he comes from a long line of brave warrior Chiefs.

It has been said that of all of the medals awarded to his ancestors, one can trace the history of Canada. His Great Great Grandfather fought with Sir William Johnson in the Imperial Army, and served at Fort George and Crown Point in 1755. He then fought alongside General James Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham in 1759.

His Great Grandfather, Chief George “Cheneebeesh” Paudash, fought in the Revolutionary war alongside the British under General Guy Johnston in 1774 - 75. He also fought in the battle of Chrysler’s Farm on November 11, 1813, during the Anglo-American War of 1812. He died in 1859 at the age of 104, the last Sachem or head Chief of all the Mississauga’s. His Grandfather, Mosang Paudash, served in the McKenzie Rebellion in Upper Canada of 1837. He was also the last hereditary Chief of the tribe of Mississauga’s situated at Rice Lake. He died in 1893 at age 75.

His Father, Robert Paudash, Chief of the Mississauga’s at Pamadusgodayond, trained to guard against the Fenian Raids 1866 - 71.

“All of these brave men played a part in defending their country, Canada and it’s freedoms. I am proud to be of the Paudash lineage and, with a living tribute on the Highway of Heroes, they will be remembered forever.” - Great Granddaughter of Chief Johnson Paudash, Susie Rucska

Additional resources regarding Chief Johnson Paudash can be found at:

http://21stbattalion.ca/tributeos/paudash_j.html and http://av.canadiana.ca/en/veteran/5595

We are proud to say that one of the ‘Trees for Heroes’ trees, that will be planted as part of the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute, will represent the service that Chief Johnson Paudash made to protect Canada.