Henry Norwest

Henry Norwest MM & Bar (1 May, 1884 – 18 August, 1918) was a distinguished Canadian sniper in World War I.

Early life

Norwest was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta on 1 May, 1884. A former ranch hand and rodeo performer, he served for a short time with the Royal Northwest Mounted Police until January 1915 when he joined the Canadian army. He initially enlisted as Henry Louie but was discharged just three months later for misbehaviour. Norwest then re-enlisted under a new name of Henry Norwest.

Military career

In his nearly three years of service with the 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion, the lance corporal achieved a documented sniping record of 115 fatal shots. While Norwest was an outstanding marksman, the thing that set him apart from others was his superb stealth tactics and his expertise in the use of camouflage. As a result of his exceptional abilities his superiors frequently sent him on reconnaissance missions into "No Man's Land" or behind enemy lines.

In 1917, Norwest earned the Military Medal during the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the following year he was awarded the bar to his Military Medal. Only three months before the war ended, Norwest was on a mission to find a German sniper's lair when he was killed by the enemy sniper.