Fourrier
Cliquez ici pour la version française
Le Fourrier | The Fourrier
Canadian on snowshoes going to war ("Canadiens en raquette allant en guerre sur la neige", 1722 drawing by Claude-Charles Bacqueville de La Potherie, Wikimedia Commons).
The fourrier was a non-commissioned military officer in charge of preceding the troops. He had to ensure that the next military camp was suitable, keeping in mind the distribution of food and clothing, acceptable shelter and sleeping arrangements. The fourrier was a trusted, right-hand man of the captain.
Source: Claude Lemay, "Fonctions et métiers délaissés", l'Ancêtre, number 281, volume 34, winter 2008, and number 280, volume 34, winter 2007; electronic edition, Société généalogique de Québec (www.sgq.qc.ca/images/_SGQ/R_LAncetre_plus_libre/ENT-FONCTIONS-METIERS-DELAISSES.pdf).