| Notes |
- While living in Evesham, Saskatchewan (near the Alberta border), Joseph Etue was drafted under the Military Service Act 1917 into the 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force CEF, Regimental # was 3352468, in the Rank of Private (Pte) at Regina on the 15th day of June, 1918 at the age of 23. Pte Etue served in England with the 5th CG Hospital where he worked with injured soldiers returning from the fighting front. Pte Etue was discharged from the military by reason of demobilization on 18 Dec 1919. Pte Etue was described on the date of his discharge; 18 Dec 1919 as follows: Age 24 years 8 months (correction 25 years 4 days), height 5 foot 6 inches, dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
As a veteran of World War I (WW I), 3352468 Pte J.F. Etue, S.R. received the British War Medal. The British War Medal was awarded to all soldiers who left Canada. The medal was awarded to all ranks of Canadian overseas military forces who came from Canada between 05 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, or who had served in a theatre of war. Those who had enlisted in the O.M.F.C. in the United Kingdom and had not served in a theatre of war were not entitled to this medal.
The requirements for RAF personnel were the same as for the army. Naval personnel were required to have 28 days of mobilized service or to have lost their lives before this period of service was complete. Seamen of the Canadian Merchant Marine who served at sea not less than six months, and crews of Dominion Government Ships and the Canadian Mercantile Marine were also eligible. There was no bar to this medal.
Description: A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. (The medal awarded to Chinese, Maltese and Native Labour Corps was bronze.).
The obverse shows the King George V, bareheaded coinage effigy, facing left, with the legend: GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP :
Reverse: A horseman (St. George, naked), armed with a short sword (an allegory of the physical and mental strength which achieves victory over Prussianism). The horse tramples on the Prussian shield and the skull and cross-bones. Just off-centre, near the right upper rim, is the sun of Victory. The dates 1914 and 1918 appear in the left and right fields respectively.
Mounting: A plain, straight, non-swivelling suspender with a single-toe claw. Ribbon: The watered ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, and consists of seven stripes: blue (0.125"), black (0.0625"), white (0.125"), orange centre (0.625" wide), white (0.125"), black (0.0325"), and blue (0.125").
Naming; The recipient's name, number and rank is engraved on the rim for the first issue. Dates: The medal was authorized on 26 July 1919.
Issued:
There were 427,993 issued to Canadians in the CEF out of 6,500,000 total. It was possible to receive this medal alone but all gallantry medals would receive the British War Medal and Victory Medal, as well.
Joseph's British War Medal is now held by his nephew Douglas Anthony Etue.
After returning from WW I, Joseph farmed most of his life in Saskatchewan, growing various grains in the Carrot River-Arborfield area. During the winter months, Joseph worked in the woods, running a large circular saw, cutting logs hauled out of the northern Saskatchewan woods. In the later years of his life, Joseph resided in the Town of Carrot River, pop 1000.
While living in Saskatchewan, Joseph's sister Blanche (wife of John Adams), her son Michael Adams and his brother Anthony Etue & his wife Dorothy Oesch visited Joseph on a few occasions, bringing back memories of their younger years together on the farm on the Bluewater highway (Highway 21) south of Bayfield, ON.
Soldier Settlement Board of Canada issued the following Attestation for Soldier Grant Entry, File No 307-E No: 13794 (A) Soldier Settlement Board District Office: Regina. The presentation of this certificate to any Agent of Dominion Lands, will be sufficient evidence for the purposes of application for Soldier Grant Entry, that Joseph Frederick Etue formerly No 3352468 in Saskatchewan Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force, is a "settler" within the meaning the Soldier Settlement Act, 1919. Dated at Regina, June 8th, 1929 signed by District Superintendent.
While living in Carrot River, Saskatchewan on 24 May 1975, Joseph experienced a tornado which tore off the local hospital awnings, scattered lumber, ripped shingles from homes, blew out car windows and lifted two cars, wedging five-gallon pails under them. One area farmer said "The twister was just a mass of wood, shingles and dust".
Joseph's Obituary read: ETUE, At University Hospital on Thursday, September 13, 1979, Joseph F. Etue of Carrot River, Saskatchewan in his 85th year. Dear brother of Sister M. Bernice C.S.J. of London, Miss Nola Etue of Windsor, Mrs Theresa Gokey of Utica, Michigan, Mrs John (Blanche) Adams of Warren, Michigan, Mrs Mary-Anne Nieman of Lincoln Park, Michigan, Peter Etue of Flint, Michigan and Anthony Etue of London. Predeceased by his parents, (Alexander Etue & Emelia Geromette) and four sisters and one brother. (Exelia 1967, Clarissa 1969, Rose 1974 and Christine 1977 and a brother in infancy). Visitors will be received at the Hinnegan and O'Neil Funeral Home 350 William Street (London) after 2 pm Sunday. Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrement Church on Monday at 10:30 a.m. Internment in St Boniface Cemetery, Zurich. Prayers Sunday at 8 pm
Joseph never married and had no children. He did have a special lady friend in his later years in Carrot River.
Public Archives Canada, Records Management, Statement of Service in the Canadian Armed Forces dated 21 May 1982 reads: Name: Jopseph Frederick ETUE Service Rank and/or Number: Private 3352468
1. Branch of Service: Canadian Expeditionary Force
2. Date and Place of Birth: 14 December 1894 Stephen Township, Huron County, Ontario.
3. Date and Place of Appointment, Enlishment or Enrolment: 15 June 1918 Regina, Saskatchewan
4. Theatres of Service: Canada and Britain.
5. Date and Place of Retirement or Discharge: 18 December, 1919 Halifax, Nova Scotia.
6. Type of Retirement or Discharge: Honourable
7. Rank on Retirement or Discharge: Private
8. Medals and Decorations: British War Medal
9. Remarks: Served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps. After the beginning of WW II this Corps was known as the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC). Joseph enrolled as a member of the Saskatchewan Regiment as recorded above however he was detailed to work with the Canadian Army Medical Corps doing general duties, i.e. "whatever was required". This might have a been a blessing in disguise as Joseph avoided direct combat fighting on the European continent and survived WW I physically unscathed but probably had many disturbing experiences seeing the autrocities of war in the the wounded returning to England must have left life long memories. Remember WW I was 80 plus years before the time we started to recognize Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)as a result of wartime combat encounters. Seaman, Soldiers and airmen came back with next to no support in dealing with these traumas...suck it up and get on with your life! Most veterans never talked about the war.
- Uncle Joseph Etue had a girl friend (may have been his neighbour in Carrot River) by the name of Gladys Gayles.
- Joseph lived in Carrot River SK in his later years on lot 16, Block 2 E 2797. (I assume the number of the house was 2797).
His house was sold after his passing to Francis Gerald Sim.
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1894 - 1979 (84 years)
: Address
: Location
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: County/Shire
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