Joseph Kaeble
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Joseph Kaeble, VC, MM (5 May 1892 – 9 June 1918) was a Canadian 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.
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[edit] Details
He was 25 years old, and a corporal in the 22e Battalion (Canadien Francais), Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 8/9 June 1918 at Neuville-Vitasse, France, Corporal Kaeble was in charge of a Lewis gun section during a strong enemy attack, when all but one of his section became casualties. As soon as the barrage lifted and about 50 of the enemy advanced, Corporal Kaeble jumped over the parapet with his Lewis gun, emptying one magazine after another into the advancing enemy. Although hit several times, he continued to fire and blocked the enemy advance, until he fell mortally wounded. Even while lying on his back in the trench, he fired his last cartridges over the parapet at the retreating enemy.
[edit] Further information
Grave/memorial at Buried at Wanquenton Communal Cemetery Extension, France. 7m W of Arras. Plot II. Row A. Grave 8. Headstone (shows age 26).
Mount Kaeble, just east of Camp Vimy in CFB Valcartier, is named in his honour.
[edit] 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)
[edit] External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- JOSEPH KAEBLE (service/personal details, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine Article on Joseph Kaeble
- Find-A-Grave profile for Joseph Kaeble
