Joseph Kaeble
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Joseph-Thomas Kaeble VC, MM |
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Bust of Joseph Kaeble at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa
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| Born |
5 May 1892 Saint-Moïse, Quebec |
| Died | 9 June 1918 (aged 26) Neuville-Vitasse, France |
| Buried at | Wanquetin Communal Cemetery Extension, France |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Years of service | 1916 - 1918 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 22e Battalion (Canadien Francais) |
| Battles/wars | World War I † |
| Awards | |
Joseph Thomas Kaeble, VC, MM (5 May 1892 – 9 June 1918) was a Canadian soldier. Kaeble was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first French Canadian soldier to be decorated with the VC and Military Medal.
He was born on 5 May 1892 in Saint-Moïse, Quebec. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in March 1916. Kaeble was a corporal in the 22e Battalion (Canadien Francais), CEF during the First World War. On 8 June 1918 at Neuville-Vitasse, France, Kaeble performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He died whilst doing so.
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.
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