Little did the family know, but when Joseph was whittling little wooden soldiers and playing kids war games, he was planting seeds for his future. In fact he'd not only become a soldier at war, he'd become an international hero, and the first French Canadian ever to be so awarded.
Born about 200 miles east of Montreal along the southern coast of the Saint Lawrence River in 1892, Joseph Kaeble (AKA Keable) would lose his father at a very early age. This would prompt a move less than a dozen miles away to a little village called Sayabec where he would get his primary education. After this he may have had thoughts of the earlier days of whittling when he worked at a sawmill that just used bigger machines to carve up the wood. Here he was employed as a mechanic.
Born about 200 miles east of Montreal along the southern coast of the Saint Lawrence River in 1892, Joseph Kaeble (AKA Keable) would lose his father at a very early age. This would prompt a move less than a dozen miles away to a little village called Sayabec where he would get his primary education. After this he may have had thoughts of the earlier days of whittling when he worked at a sawmill that just used bigger machines to carve up the wood. Here he was employed as a mechanic.
By mid March of 1916 the 189th was a most popular French Canadian regiment that was doing recruiting in the area were Joseph was working. He decided it was his time and joined about another dozen who signed up with the unit to go off to war. But first came about 6 months of training at Valcartier.
In September the Battalion sailed to England and was immediately amalgamated with the 69th and undertook further training. Soon the unit was off to France and would itself be amalgamated in the Royal 22nd Regiment, the famed Vandoo's who had by then already done credible battle in many fights but also having taken many casualties and would welcome the new reinforcements... especially men from their hometowns.
In September the Battalion sailed to England and was immediately amalgamated with the 69th and undertook further training. Soon the unit was off to France and would itself be amalgamated in the Royal 22nd Regiment, the famed Vandoo's who had by then already done credible battle in many fights but also having taken many casualties and would welcome the new reinforcements... especially men from their hometowns.
Pte Kaeble would see the horrors of Vimy Ridge first hand and would play his part in the historic successes there and move on to yet more battles. A wound to the right shoulder would see him evacuated to one and then another hospital but would soon see him back at the front lines as a machine gunner.
There would be battles at Vimy's Hill 70, then off to Passchendaele Belgium then while back in the area of Arras France he was promotion to Corporal.
Confirmation regarding dates have been difficult but the promotion may have had something to do with his earning the Military Medal at about this time, a senior medal for bravery.
In June of 1918 the Vandoos were holding their position very near to the tip of France, and just a few miles below the city of Arras at a place called Neuville-Vitasse as shown above. On the 8th, at about 10 pm the enemy launched a vicious artillery bombardment of the 22nd trenches from very close range. This continued for about an hour. Most of his men were either killed or badly wounded. When the artillery stopped 50 men were said to have led a charge.
Joseph picked up his Lewis machine gun and fired off his 47 rounds. Then picked up another, then another then another. One references says that despite being repeatedly wounded he shot off 40 magazines of ammunition and either killed or wounded all and stopped their advance. His legs, both broken, finally gave out as he collapsed backwards into his trench.
Before slipped into unconsciousness he yelled out.. "Hold on Guys, Don't let go, we need to stop them!"
Joseph was evacuated to an aid station and the following evening at the age of 25, died at hospital from his massive wounds.
There would be battles at Vimy's Hill 70, then off to Passchendaele Belgium then while back in the area of Arras France he was promotion to Corporal.
Confirmation regarding dates have been difficult but the promotion may have had something to do with his earning the Military Medal at about this time, a senior medal for bravery.
In June of 1918 the Vandoos were holding their position very near to the tip of France, and just a few miles below the city of Arras at a place called Neuville-Vitasse as shown above. On the 8th, at about 10 pm the enemy launched a vicious artillery bombardment of the 22nd trenches from very close range. This continued for about an hour. Most of his men were either killed or badly wounded. When the artillery stopped 50 men were said to have led a charge.
Joseph picked up his Lewis machine gun and fired off his 47 rounds. Then picked up another, then another then another. One references says that despite being repeatedly wounded he shot off 40 magazines of ammunition and either killed or wounded all and stopped their advance. His legs, both broken, finally gave out as he collapsed backwards into his trench.
Before slipped into unconsciousness he yelled out.. "Hold on Guys, Don't let go, we need to stop them!"
Joseph was evacuated to an aid station and the following evening at the age of 25, died at hospital from his massive wounds.
This is the London Gazette announcement of his being awarded the Victoria Cross. Note that he had already been awarded the MM for bravery, but the date of the award his unknown.
In 2006 the federal government created Confederation Square at Ottawa and therein the circle of several Valient Canadian military personel;le. Here are installed portraits of the bust of 14 men including Cpl. Joseph Kaeble. shown to the left. It should be noted that Joseph was the first French Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
One hopes that someday there will be a similar circle dedicated to Canada's brave women!
One hopes that someday there will be a similar circle dedicated to Canada's brave women!
Back in November of 2010 Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence announced the first 2 names of new vessels to be built and named after Canadian heroes. The following February he gave 7 more names that would to complete the program calling for 9 very powerful and fast new vessels to patrol the in-shores and waters within reach of a few hundred miles of our vast eastern coast line. Eight of the nine are named after men. Hopefully the future will see more recognition of the women as well.
The picture above is of the vessel that the government has chosen to name after none other than Quebec, and Canada's WW1 hero Cpl Joseph Kaeble VC, MM.
Cpl Kaeble's deed was performed on June 8 1918. And that folks, was 95 years ago this Saturday!
Bart
The picture above is of the vessel that the government has chosen to name after none other than Quebec, and Canada's WW1 hero Cpl Joseph Kaeble VC, MM.
Cpl Kaeble's deed was performed on June 8 1918. And that folks, was 95 years ago this Saturday!
Bart
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