15 Facts About Filip Konowal

Filip Konowal VC was a highly decorated Ukrainian Canadian soldier.

Filip Konowal is the first Canadian Corps member not born in the British Empire to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces.

Filip Konowal was entitled to the Cross of St George, 4th Class.

Filip Konowal is the patron of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 360 in Toronto.

On 12 July 1915, Filip Konowal enlisted in the 77th Canadian Infantry Battalion, and on 19 June 1916, left Halifax for Liverpool.

Filip Konowal's medal was personally presented by King George V, and he was promoted to sergeant.

Filip Konowal's section had the difficult task of mopping up cellars, craters and machine-gun emplacements.

Filip Konowal rushed forward and entered the emplacement, killed the crew, and brought the gun back to our lines.

On 19 July 1919, Filip Konowal accompanied Leontiy Diedek, a friend and fellow veteran, to a particularly rough area in Hull, Quebec.

Filip Konowal became aware of a commotion and went to investigate.

Filip Konowal managed to gain control over the weapon and killed Artich with a single stab to the chest.

Filip Konowal eventually found employment as a caretaker at the House of Commons in Ottawa, with the help of a military associate.

Filip Konowal married a French-Canadian woman, Juliette Leduc-Auger, in 1934 and adopted her two sons, Roland and Albert.

Filip Konowal was buried at Notre Dame de Lourdes Cemetery, Ottawa, under a headstone in section A, lot 502.

In 1996, Filip Konowal's headstone was replaced by an upright marker, and memorial plaques were unveiled:.