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One of Wagmatcook’s favourite sons – WWI soldier and sniper Stephen Toney – was a recipient of the Canadian military’s highest honour, the awarding of the prestigious Victoria Cross.

Born in the Mi’kmaw community of Wagmatcook, Victoria County, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Toney was earlier awarded the MM (Military Medal), and the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal).

Established on 25 March 1916, the MM was the other ranks’ equivalent to the Military Cross. It was awarded for bravery in battle on land. It was the most conferred bravery medal to the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The DCM was awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers, and non-commissioned members, serving in any of the sovereign’s military forces, for distinguished conduct in the field. It was the second highest award for gallantry in action (after the Victoria Cross) for all army ranks below commissioned officers and was available to Navy and Air Force personnel also for distinguished conduct in the field.

Toney said that as a young Mi’kmaq boy, his keenness of eyesight and his deadly aim were inherited from his father, Peter Toney, with whom he hunted in the wilds of the Victoria County nights in search of deer and other game.

Serving on the front lines facing German opposition in 1918, Toney was already regarded as one of the best snipers fighting under the Allies. This was a lethal circumstance for Allied soldiers. So deadly was the constant fire of the German snipers, that was considered certain death for any soldier to raise their head above their parapet for but a second.

Toney was called upon on the word of an officer who knew of his shooting skills. The General in command had him summoned to be positioned for taking out enemy combatants. Once in position, Toney discerned and advised his officers of a suspicious object in a tree a thousand yards distant. The officers reportedly trained their field glasses on the tree, assuring Toney that there was no one in the tree.

“S’pose you watch,” Toney was reported to have coolly replied.

Taking a careful bead with his rifle, he pulled the trigger. Instantly dropped the dead body of the treed German sniper. The witnessing officers and other men were astonished and enraptured in their applause.

On that occasion, the commanding General saw seven German snipers killed, and particularly for these acts, Stephen Toney earned the coveted Victoria Cross. Shortly afterward, Toney receiving medical treatments after being gassed, was thought to have recuperated and was returned to the lines. His eyesight, however, had become impaired. He was furloughed and returned home to Nova Scotia.