Jean Brillant
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Jean Brillant, VC, MC (15 March 1890 – 10 August 1918) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
Born in Assemetquagan (Routhierville), Quebec, the son of Joseph Brillant, a railway maintenance worker, and Rose-de-Lima Raiche, Jean Brillant was a telegraph operator before the war.
He was 28 years old, and a lieutenant in the 22e Battalion (Canadien Francais), Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
[edit] Action
On 8/9 August 1918 east of Meharicourt, France, Lieutenant Brillant, while capturing a machine-gun which was holding up his company, was wounded but refused to leave his command. Later his company was again held by heavy machine-gun fire and Lieutenant Brillant, with two platoons, rushed the machine-gun post, capturing 150 prisoners and 15 guns. He was wounded a second time, had his wounds dressed immediately and again refused to leave his command. Subsequently he led a "rushing" party towards a field gun and was again seriously wounded, but continued to advance until he fell unconscious. He died the next day.
[edit] Further information
Brillant is buried at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Fouilloy, France. 15km (9 miles) east of Amiens. Plot VIa. Row B. Grave 20. Headstone.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- In memory of Lieutenant JEAN BRILLANT (service details, photographs, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine
