World War I

By Dick Gaetz

Back-fence critics during both world wars would find little cause for suspecting the Gaetz of being admirers of the Kaiser or Hitler, but some, because of our German origins, would be watching.

A reading of the honor rolls convinces anyone that "Those Gaetz and relatives, were 'in there fighting.'"

I record the following brief outlines in memory of these men so that interested persons will find in one book what is presently in bits and pieces all over the place. And I am proud to begin with those who enlisted in Red Deer in the 12th Canadian Mounted Rifles, early in World War I.

Gaetz, Major Harold Leonard [our great uncle] was called from Reserve of officers to Active Duty on the outbreak of war, 4th of August, 1914. Trained in Red Deer and at Sarcee, Calgary. He was made second in command of 12th C.M.R. before leaving for overseas.

(Uncle Hal, as we youngsters knew him, held a Long Service Medal from the Reserve Amy officers.) He was killed in action at Courcelette, France, Sept. 26, 1916. The first tanks were in action there.

The poet was thinking of men like the Major when he wrote (in part):

"O, Valiant Hearts, who to your glory came
Through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved."

...of Rev. Leonard Gaetz - these two young men did their bit to bog down the German steamroller.

Dr. T. H., Hal Gaetz sent me this about his brother Joe and himself:

Joseph Beaumont Gaetz (2 years older than I) enlisted in the 89th Battalion - was transferred to the 50th Battalion (from Calgary) early in 1916 and had his baptism of fire on the Somme. He was shot during the capture of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. His injured left arm was never quite the same and I'm sure his service as a sapper prior to the attack produced enough tension to shorten his life.

I, Harold, Joe's brother, enlisted in the 187th Battalion, May 5, 1916 - trained at Sarcee and the Battalion (one of several) sailed from Halifax December 20, 1916.

Development of mumps! Spoiled Christmas Day on board - though I had bought oranges and grapefruit from one of the stewards in the officer's mess. On landing those with mumps were isolated in Hospital and then back to the unit - merged with 202 from Edmonton - trained etc. and then I was sent to Hertford N. C. O.'s School where I met Clare Smith who was a Drill Sergeant. After one week (very rigorous) I was suddenly recalled since the 202 was broken up for replacement after Vimy. We had choices about our destination so I declared my age as 19 - and chose the 50th. About the time I landed in France, Joe was in Hospital in Bradford Yorkshire. I could go on and on - but Colonel Lionel Page was C. O. of the 50th and under his command I was present at Hill 70 - Lens and Passchendaele where I was gassed. Eventually I was moved to Base Hospital - Epsom-Kent and back to Canada - Lionel Page was the best officer I ever saw.

I'm pooped and you must be too.
Again - all of the best,
Hal

Battle fatigue overcame every man in the Front Line in a matter of a few days and nights of ceaseless danger, noise, sodden clothing, rats, lice, stench and mud, mud, mud.

British military historian, Liddel Hart, reported that a high officer from the general staff visited the (Passchendaele) battlefield and burst into tears as he said, "My God, did we really send men to fight in this?"

Canadian military historian Kim Beattie wrote: "The mud sea was awful beyond words. Derelict guns, bodies, bloated horses and broken timbers were scattered wherever they looked... carrying stretchers is an arduous job at any time, but at Passchendaele where a man could only move a yard or so at a time without sinking to his thighs, and where the shells always fell about them it was work that defies description."

Such conditions drove some men into 'shell-shock'. They were sent home or to asylums." The Ladies College in town became a treatment center for such unfortunates.

To prevent this, as far as possible, relief troops filed in as the weary ones filed out. Entertainment of any sort was...