Citation(s);
Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Louis and 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.
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.
Digital gallery of Private Henry Louis Norwest
-
Photo of Henry Louis Norwest
Photo taken while as a member of 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1915. -
Original Grave Marker
Gravesite marker erected by members 50th Battalion. -
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. -
Grave marker
Photo of grave marker courtesy Wilf Schofield, England -
Tribute
-
From the Alberta/NWT Canadian Legion Military Service Recognition Book. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
From the Alberta/NWT Canadian Legion Military Service Recognition Book. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Bio
From of the 2015 edition of the Saskatchewan Canadian Legion Service Recognition Book. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
Digital gallery of
Private Henry Louis Norwest
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 479 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
Service record(s)
Digitized personnel record available through Library and Archives Canada.
WARVILLERS CHURCHYARD EXTENSION Somme, France
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.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Learning resources
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.