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Joseph Kaeble, Jr, VC, MM (5 May 1892 – 9 June 1918) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military award given to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first French Canadian soldier to be decorated with the VC and Military Medal.
On 8 June 1918 at Neuville-Vitasse, France, Corporal Kaeble performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He died whilst doing so.
Biography
Born 5 May 1892 He was a corporal in the 22e Battalion (Canadien Francais), Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and extraordinary devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun section in the front line trenches, in which a strong enemy raid was attempted. During an intense bombardment Corporal Kaeble remained at the parapet with his Lewis gun shouldered ready for action, the field of fire being very short. As soon as the barrage lifted from the front line, about fifty of the enemy advanced towards his post. By this time the whole of his section except one had become casualties. Corporal Kaeble jumped over the parapet, and holding his Lewis gun at the hip, emptied one magazine after another into the advancing enemy, and although wounded several times by fragments of shells and bombs, he continued to fire and entirely blocked the enemy by his determined stand. Finally, firing all the time, he fell backwards into the trench mortally wounded. While lying on his back in the trench he fired his last cartridges over the parapet at the retreating Germans, and before losing consciousness shouted to the wounded about him: "Keep it up, boys; do not let them get through! We must stop them !" The complete repulse of the enemy attack at this point was due to the remarkable personal bravery and self-sacrifice of this gallant non-commissioned officer, who died of his wounds shortly afterwards.
— London Gazette, Supplement No. 30903, dated 16 September 1918
Transported to hospital, Corporal Joseph Kaeble died of his wounds the next night, 9 June.
Burial and legacy
He was buried in the local cemetery in Wantequin, some seven miles west of Arras(Wantequin memorial/cemetery: Plot II. Row A. Grave 8. Headstone).
Streets, buildings, and even a mountain still bear his name. Mount Kaeble, just east of Camp Vimy in CFB Valcartier, is named in his honour.
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)
External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- In memory of Corporal JOSEPH KAEBLE (service/personal details, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine Article on Joseph Kaeble
- Find-A-Grave profile for Joseph Kaeble
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