Born at Hiawatha, in the Rice Lake area near Peterborough, Paudash would become a First Nations Chief in a long line of well-known Aboriginal leaders from the area. He might never have made it to the war if it wasn't for another famous Kawartha-area resident, Sir Sam Hughes. The minister of militia in Robert Borden's war-time government, Hughes was a close personal friend to Paudash. Recognizing his ability as a marksman, Hughes talked Paudash into joining the 21st Battalion of the 4th Brigade and joining the war effort. Perhaps it was destined all along, for Paudash had an amazing war and battle pedigree, stretching back four generations in some of the most politically significant battles Canada endured. His father trained to guard against the Fenian raids which had besieged John A. Macdonald's early term. His grandfather trained for the Mackenzie Rebellion in Upper Canada. His great grandfather fought in two major battles – once for the Revolutionary war alongside the British in 1774-75 and then again at the Battle of Chrysler's Farm -- at that time the most serious attempt by the U.S. to invade Canada. Still further back, his great-great-great grandfather fought with General James Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham. For Paudash, then, perhaps his going off to war was simply part of his grand design. During the war Paudash became an invaluable forward observer for the army. He had an unerring talent for slipping perilously close to the enemy trenches without being detected. High-ranking generals were often put in his care, entrusted to Paudash for tours of the front line in France and Belgium. Paudash was an impressive guide and he carried the responsibility of leading entire battalions into position against Hitler's forces in Germany. It wasn't long before the soft-spoken man with exceptional eyesight and sharp memory was singled out as a prolific sniper, too. Paudash was awarded several medals from his time in the war, including the Mons Star (for being part of a unit that came under exceptional fire in a short period of time) and the Allied Medal for service. According to the book 'The Canadian Indians and The Great World War,' Paudash was also awarded a medal for "giving information that the enemy was massing at Hill 70 for a counter-attack, which…took place just 25 minutes after Paudash made his report." His timely warning averted a serious reverse. The book further notes that "Lance-Corporal Paudash has also been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of having saved the life of an officer in the Battle of the Somme." After the war, Paudash settled in Lindsay and gladly went back to civilian life, serving as a rural mail carrier in the Lindsay area for 25 years before later moving to the Durham region. As well, he began to advocate for the needs of his people in various diplomatic roles. ** Info from-Roderick Benns is the owner of Fireside Publishing House, publisher of the Leaders & Legacies series of books on Canada's prime ministers. He is also a former reporter for Kawartha Lakes This Week.**
Born at Hiawatha, in the Rice Lake area near Peterborough, Paudash would become a First Nations Chief in a long line of well-known Aboriginal leaders from the area. He might never have made it to the war if it wasn't for another famous Kawartha-area resident, Sir Sam Hughes. The minister of militia in Robert Borden's war-time government, Hughes was a close personal friend to Paudash. Recognizing his ability as a marksman, Hughes talked Paudash into joining the 21st Battalion of the 4th Brigade and joining the war effort. Perhaps it was destined all along, for Paudash had an amazing war and battle pedigree, stretching back four generations in some of the most politically significant battles Canada endured. His father trained to guard against the Fenian raids which had besieged John A. Macdonald's early term. His grandfather trained for the Mackenzie Rebellion in Upper Canada. His great grandfather fought in two major battles – once for the Revolutionary war alongside the British in 1774-75 and then again at the Battle of Chrysler's Farm -- at that time the most serious attempt by the U.S. to invade Canada. Still further back, his great-great-great grandfather fought with General James Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham. For Paudash, then, perhaps his going off to war was simply part of his grand design. During the war Paudash became an invaluable forward observer for the army. He had an unerring talent for slipping perilously close to the enemy trenches without being detected. High-ranking generals were often put in his care, entrusted to Paudash for tours of the front line in France and Belgium. Paudash was an impressive guide and he carried the responsibility of leading entire battalions into position against Hitler's forces in Germany. It wasn't long before the soft-spoken man with exceptional eyesight and sharp memory was singled out as a prolific sniper, too. Paudash was awarded several medals from his time in the war, including the Mons Star (for being part of a unit that came under exceptional fire in a short period of time) and the Allied Medal for service. According to the book 'The Canadian Indians and The Great World War,' Paudash was also awarded a medal for "giving information that the enemy was massing at Hill 70 for a counter-attack, which…took place just 25 minutes after Paudash made his report." His timely warning averted a serious reverse. The book further notes that "Lance-Corporal Paudash has also been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of having saved the life of an officer in the Battle of the Somme." After the war, Paudash settled in Lindsay and gladly went back to civilian life, serving as a rural mail carrier in the Lindsay area for 25 years before later moving to the Durham region. As well, he began to advocate for the needs of his people in various diplomatic roles. ** Info from-Roderick Benns is the owner of Fireside Publishing House, publisher of the Leaders & Legacies series of books on Canada's prime ministers. He is also a former reporter for Kawartha Lakes This Week.**
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