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Alexander Wuttunee Decoteau
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 19/11/1887 |
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Place of birth: Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Canada |
General information
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Last known residence: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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Profession: Police sergeant |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 231462 |
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Enlistment date: 24/04/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Infantry, 49th Bn. (Edmonton) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 30/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Fürst Farm, Passchendaele, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 29 |
Cemetery
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Passchendaele New British Cemetery Plot: XI Row: A Grave: 28 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Alexander Wuttunee Decoteau was born November 19, 1887, on the Cree Red Pheasant Indian Reserve near Battleford, Saskatchewan. His father Peter belonged to the Métis indigenous people (created by the historical and cultural amalgamation of Native American peoples and European, mainly French settlers), his mother Dora belonged to the Cree, Canada's largest aboriginal people group. Alex's father was actively involved in the resistance of the Cree and Métis to the domination of their territory by British and European settlers. After his murder in 1891, at their mother's request, four-year-old Alex and two brothers were sent to the Battleford Industrial School, a residential school for aboriginal children run by the Canadian government with the aim of assimilating them into the society of settlers and immigrants. Alex achieved good grades there and developed his talents as a young sportsman. After leaving school, Alex worked temporarily as a farmhand and then moved to Edmonton to help his brother-in-law in the blacksmith shop. After many wanderings, he eventually joined the Edmonton Police Department, becoming the first native police officer in Canada in 1911. Meanwhile, Alex also devoted himself to long- and medium-distance running, with success. He won several important races for Edmonton and Alberta before being selected for the 1912 Stockholm Olympics in the 5,000 meters. In the final he finished sixth, plagued by leg cramps. Upon his return, he was welcomed as a hero with a parade in downtown Edmonton.
In April 1916, Alex enlisted in Edmonton with the 202nd Overseas Infantry Battalion, also known as the "Edmonton Sportsmen Battalion." After training at the Sarcee military training camp near Calgary, he made the crossing aboard the S.S. Mauretania from Halifax to England in November 1916. During his stay there, he regularly participated in athletic competitions among military personnel and received a gold pocket watch from King George V after winning a 5-mile race. In May 1917, Alex was assigned to the 49th Battalion (Edmonton) for active duty in France; he was assigned as a courier because of his running ability.
In October 1917, all four Canadian divisions were sent to Flanders; they were selected to storm the heights of Passchendaele. A first Canadian attack took place on Oct. 26 and a second followed on Oct. 30. At 10 to 6, the 3rd and 4th divisions went on the attack again. The battered battalions that had shared in the battles on the first day had been withdrawn. The 3rd Division attacked with the 8th brigade on the left and the 7th brigade on the right. From Bellevue, they moved up a spur of the Passchendaele ridge. To Goudberg and Meetcheele, northwest of Passchendaele. Bellevue's 7th Brigade advanced toward Meetcheele. Two battalions led the attack: the Patricia's on the right and the 49th Battalion on the left. The condition of the terrain played tricks on the Canadians. The 49th moved toward Fürst Farm. Before the attack began, the battalion was hit by friendly fire. German artillery also shelled the battalion at their starting positions. Fürst Farm was taken, but further advance over open and muddy terrain was almost impossible. One by one, the men fell prey to German snipers. The 49th suffered heavy losses. 567 and 21 officers left for the front. After the operation on Oct. 30, 1917, 118 soldiers and eight officers were killed, 280 men and eight officers were wounded, and 29 men were reported missing that day. This number would increase throughout the rest of the war.
Alexander was killed by the bullet of a German sniper while delivering messages on the morning of Oct. 30 during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. He was buried near Fürst Farm. Alex is not the only Stockholm 1912 Canadian Olympic athlete to die in the Westhoek. A few miles away, James Duffy - 5th in the marathon, winner of the 1914 Boston Marathon - also found his final resting place, in Vlamertinge.
Alex's accomplishments and achievements inspired several publications, a biography and a play about his (too short) life, and he is honourably mentioned in several "Halls of Fame" across Canada. In Edmonton, a brand new park and residential neighbourhood was named after him in 2014. He is valued as a bridge builder between indigenous people and other communities in Canada.
Some letters from him have also survived, addressed to his sister Emily. One of them attests to what the war did to the physical health of this once unapproachable athlete. The letter reads as follows:
"Then I got sick with trench fever and did not get out of my bed for ten days. I'm over it now, although my legs still hurt sometimes, especially in wet weather. It's like rheumatism and I had to endure many sleepless nights."
Alex is now buried in Passchendaele New British Cemetery in Passchendaele. In 1985, Alex's spirit returned home after a special Cree ceremony in Edmonton.
In April 1916, Alex enlisted in Edmonton with the 202nd Overseas Infantry Battalion, also known as the "Edmonton Sportsmen Battalion." After training at the Sarcee military training camp near Calgary, he made the crossing aboard the S.S. Mauretania from Halifax to England in November 1916. During his stay there, he regularly participated in athletic competitions among military personnel and received a gold pocket watch from King George V after winning a 5-mile race. In May 1917, Alex was assigned to the 49th Battalion (Edmonton) for active duty in France; he was assigned as a courier because of his running ability.
In October 1917, all four Canadian divisions were sent to Flanders; they were selected to storm the heights of Passchendaele. A first Canadian attack took place on Oct. 26 and a second followed on Oct. 30. At 10 to 6, the 3rd and 4th divisions went on the attack again. The battered battalions that had shared in the battles on the first day had been withdrawn. The 3rd Division attacked with the 8th brigade on the left and the 7th brigade on the right. From Bellevue, they moved up a spur of the Passchendaele ridge. To Goudberg and Meetcheele, northwest of Passchendaele. Bellevue's 7th Brigade advanced toward Meetcheele. Two battalions led the attack: the Patricia's on the right and the 49th Battalion on the left. The condition of the terrain played tricks on the Canadians. The 49th moved toward Fürst Farm. Before the attack began, the battalion was hit by friendly fire. German artillery also shelled the battalion at their starting positions. Fürst Farm was taken, but further advance over open and muddy terrain was almost impossible. One by one, the men fell prey to German snipers. The 49th suffered heavy losses. 567 and 21 officers left for the front. After the operation on Oct. 30, 1917, 118 soldiers and eight officers were killed, 280 men and eight officers were wounded, and 29 men were reported missing that day. This number would increase throughout the rest of the war.
Alexander was killed by the bullet of a German sniper while delivering messages on the morning of Oct. 30 during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. He was buried near Fürst Farm. Alex is not the only Stockholm 1912 Canadian Olympic athlete to die in the Westhoek. A few miles away, James Duffy - 5th in the marathon, winner of the 1914 Boston Marathon - also found his final resting place, in Vlamertinge.
Alex's accomplishments and achievements inspired several publications, a biography and a play about his (too short) life, and he is honourably mentioned in several "Halls of Fame" across Canada. In Edmonton, a brand new park and residential neighbourhood was named after him in 2014. He is valued as a bridge builder between indigenous people and other communities in Canada.
Some letters from him have also survived, addressed to his sister Emily. One of them attests to what the war did to the physical health of this once unapproachable athlete. The letter reads as follows:
"Then I got sick with trench fever and did not get out of my bed for ten days. I'm over it now, although my legs still hurt sometimes, especially in wet weather. It's like rheumatism and I had to endure many sleepless nights."
Alex is now buried in Passchendaele New British Cemetery in Passchendaele. In 1985, Alex's spirit returned home after a special Cree ceremony in Edmonton.
Sources 5
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Boileau J., "Alex DeCoteau" In: The Canadian Encyclopedia (Toronto, Historica Canada, 2023). https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/ Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC) RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2464 - 4). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War diaries - 49th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Edmonton Regiment) (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume 4940, Microfilm T-10747, File 440). https://library-archives.canada.ca Sources used |
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War Graves Registers: Circumstances of Death (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG 150, 1992-93/314; Volume Number: 171). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War Graves Registry: Commonwealth War Graves (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC): RG150, 1992-1993/314, Box 39-244; Box: 62). https://library-archives.canada.ca Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461212 |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/461212 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5810129 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/7773610e-1403-43c7-8963-96883bc1e55e |