john sheewack

Received the British War Medal and Victory Medal, was killed during the Battle of Cambrai, Northern France, November 20, 1917. Shiwak, a hunter and trapper of Inuit origin from the community of Rigolet, Labrador, was a sniper and scout in the "F" Company of 1st Regiment of Newfoundland and Labrador. Shiwak distinguished himself as an expert sniper while serving on the front lines. An unidentified officer reportedly told Shiwak that he was the best sniper in the British Army. Captain RH Tait of the Newfoundland and Labrador Regiment said the 28-year-old Lance Corporal was "a great favorite with all ranks, a great scout and observer, a good friend and a reliable colleague" . Shiwak attributed his shooting skills to his experience of the seal hunt, where he observed the waters in order to shoot seals as soon as they emerged to breathe. He died in battle following shrapnel wounds at the age of 28. His colleague from "F" Brigade, Private Frederick Freida, from the remote community of Hopedale, Labrador, was luckier. He was able to return home. In 1951, at the age of 55, Private Freida decided to serve his country as a Canadian Ranger in the Arctic.