Author shines light on war hero
Kelowna soldier among 6 Canadians who rounded up dozens of Germans in French village during First World War
The role played by a Kelowna soldier in the capture of 80 Germans is one of the most remarkable if little-known stories of the First World War, an Ottawa author says.
Pte. Charles Creighton Graham was one of only six Canadians who managed to round up dozens of German prisoners from the French village of Blecourt on Sept. 29, 1918.
For his heroic actions, Graham was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
“He did a very courageous thing, and participated in one of the most interesting anecdotes to come out of the First World War,” Michel Gravel said Sunday.
“You wonder, how could just six men take so many Germans prisoner?” said Gravel, who is writing a book on the episode. “It’s quite remarkable.”
Despite his research, Gravel has been unable to find out much about what happened to Graham after the war, other than the fact he died at a veterans’ hospital in Vancouver in 1966.
“I’m hoping some of your readers will recognize the name, or even be related to him,” Gravel said. “If I can make that connection, I could add more detail to Graham’s story in my book.”
The official citation for Graham’s medal says he set a “splendid example of dash, coolness and initiative” during the small party’s raid on Blecourt. Graham used his Lewis gun to control the town square while his comrades rounded up the Germans.
“This little party, incredibly, captured the village,” Daniel Dancocks writes in his book, Spearhead to Victory.
“In the process, they rounded up at least 150 prisoners, although many of these later escaped when they realized how few Canadians were holding them captive,” Dancocks writes.
By the time Graham and the others returned to the Canadian lines, they were still in command of about 80 prisoners.
Gravel, who has visited the French village where the episode took place, says there’s a movement in the community to rename the town square in honour of the Canadians.
Anyone who may have information about the life of Charles Creighton Graham can phone Michel Gravel at 613-796-5882.