Private Richard Back
Died of Wounds in WW1
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Private Richard Back was a Native American of the Mohawk tribe, born in Hogansburg, N.Y (possibly St. Regis) the son of John Back and Maggie Day Back. He received his initial education at the St. Regis Public School in St. Regis/Akwesasne from 1907 to 1910 when he left in the 4th grade to go to work. His father enrolled him in the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania from April 1913 the age of 16 until he ran away in April 1914. He enlisted into the 73rd Battalion, Royal Highlanders on September, 1915, and went overseas with them at the end of March, 1916. After training in England he proceeded to France with the 73rd Battalion and served with them through April 1917. In the aftermath of the battle at Vimy Ridge, Private Back was transferred to the 42nd Battailion. He was only with them for a few days when he was wounded in the head and died of wounds on April 27th, 1917 at the age of 21.
Richard Back is not listed on the Huntingdon, Quebec Memorial. His brother James, who enlisted but never served, is erronously listed instead.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
132874
Cause of Death (in war):
Died of Wounds
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
42nd Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Hogansburg, New York
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
19 years 7 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
21 years 2 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
21 years 2 months
Country Born:
USA
Trade or Calling:
Wire Worker
Next of Kin:
Margaret Back, mother, 193A 7th Ave., Lachine, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 5.0 in / 165 cm
Weight:
147 lbs / 67 kg
Chest:
37.0 in / 94 cm
Expansion:
4.0 in / 10 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
Yes
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
585 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Images
Grave of Richard Back
Grave of 132874 Private Richard Back, age 21, Canadian Infantry, 42nd Battalion.
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Army |
42nd Battalion |
|
|
|
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Army |
73rd Battalion |
"C" Company, No 12 Platoon |
|
|
Available Transcriptions
| Type |
Date |
Published |
Headline |
| News Clipping |
|
|
Unveiling of the Soldiers Monument in Huntingdon |
Additional Service Notes
Claimed to have Military training at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania, USA.
Enlisted with the 73rd Battalion, Royal Highlander. Embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on 31 March 1916, arriving Liverpool, England 9 April 1916 on the RMS Adriatic.
He went to France with the 73rd Battalion on 13 August 1917. He served with the 73rd Battalion until 19 April 1917 when he was transferred to the 42nd Battalion.
He died of wounds a week later on 27 April 1917
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Father John Back
Mother Maggie Day Back
Version: 5 Last modified: 2026-09-13 22:50:12
by: marc
