Belanger Brothers – Gateway to Northwestern Ontario History

Private Peter Belanger was a runner (messenger) with the 52nd Battalion and was wounded in action. Private Augustin (Gus) Belanger, with the 52nd Battalion, was killed in action on May 25, 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal Posthumously, the citation reads: “On June the 5, 1916, this man carried important despatches to the front line companies crossing a mile and a half of open country under intensely heavy shell fire. Although buried in a trench by the debris from the bursting shell fire, he continued his journey, twice coming under machine gun fire, and safely delivered the despatches. During the whole period of the 3rd to 14th June 1916, his conduct in delivering messages was most conspicuous.”

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Private Peter Belanger (left) 52nd Battalion,Private Augustin (Gus) Belanger (right) 52nd Battalion, Military Medal, both from Fort William First Nation, Ontario. Photo Credit: Library & Archives Canada/Thunder Bay Military Museum.

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Read the memorial entry for Private Augustin Belanger in the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

Read Private Augustin Belanger’s military records through Library and Archives Canada.

Read Private Peter Belanger’s military records through Library and Archives Canada.