Jean Baptiste Arthur Brillant

Twice wounded, he led his company forward at Amiens, France.

Jean Baptiste Arthur Brillant was born on 15 March 1890 at Assemetquagan, now Routhierville, in Quebec's Matapédia valley. Before overseas service he worked as a telegraph operator and served in the Canadian militia's 89th Regiment.

He enlisted with the 189th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, at Camp Valcartier on 11 January 1916. In England he was posted to the 69th Reserve Battalion on 6 October, then transferred to the 22nd Battalion and arrived in France on 27 October. His operational unit was the French-speaking 22nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry.

Brillant fought at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, but illness interrupted his service that year. He was hospitalized with trench fever after the battle, and a later period of illness kept him away from his battalion until September.

On the night of 27–28 May 1918, near Boiry-Becquerelle, he led volunteers against a defended German outpost. Although wounded, he pursued enemy soldiers and brought back a prisoner who provided useful intelligence. This action earned him the Military Cross.

During the Battle of Amiens on 8–9 August 1918, Lieutenant Brillant commanded a company through repeated resistance. He personally attacked a machine-gun position, killing two of its crew, and continued in command despite being wounded. He subsequently led two platoons against another position, an assault that captured 150 prisoners and fifteen machine guns. Wounded again, he had his injury dressed and remained with his men.

He then led a party against a German field gun firing directly at the advancing Canadians. Seriously wounded for a third time, he continued forward before collapsing from blood loss and exhaustion. He died on 10 August 1918, aged 28. Brillant received the Victoria Cross posthumously and is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France. His service ended with his death; he had no subsequent military career.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

“For most conspicuous bravery and outstanding devotion to duty when in charge of a company which he led in attack during two days with absolute fearlessness and extraordinary ability and initiative, the extent of the advance being twelve miles.

On the first day of operations shortly after the attack had begun, his company left flank was held up by an enemy machine-gun. Lt. Brillant rushed and captured the machine-gun, personally killing two of the enemy crew. Whilst doing this, he was wounded, but refused to leave his command.

Later on the same day, his company was held up by heavy machine-gun fire. He reconnoitred the ground personally, organised a party of two platoons and rushed straight for the machine-gun nest. Here 150 enemy and fifteen machine-guns were captured, Lt. Brillant personally killing five of the enemy, and being wounded a second time. He had this wound dressed immediately, and again refused to leave his Company.

Subsequently this gallant officer detected a field gun firing on his men over open sights. He immediately organised and led a ‘rushing’ party towards the gun. After progressing about 600 yards, he was again seriously wounded. In spite of this third wound, he continued to advance for some 200 yards more, when he fell unconscious from exhaustion and loss of blood.

Lt. Brillant’s wonderful example throughout the day inspired his men with an enthusiasm and dash which largely contributed towards the success of the operation.”

London Gazette, no. 30922, 27 September 1918.