Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe was born in Belgium and served with the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion in the Great War. Chaballe rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel with the battalion commonly referred to as the “Van Doos” (from vingt-deux, meaning twenty-two in French). Joseph’s ‘D’ Company captured the village of Courcelette during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in September of 1916.
Wounded on the first day of the battle. Still, Joseph remains at duty for over 70 consecutive hours. Then, over the next four days, Joseph commands his men and repulses thirteen German counter-attacks, in one of the most heroic actions of the Great War. His actions during this time earned him the Military Cross.
Buried alive shortly after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Joseph’s active service was over. Suffering from Shell Shock (PTSD), granted leave with his family, now living in Paris. However, a long recovery awaits. Following the war, highly decorated by the President of France and the King of Belgium. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Henri Chaballe wrote the history of the 22nd Battalion prior to his death in 1952.
Early life
Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe, MC, was born 2 June 1876 in Vervieres, Liege, Belgium. Married to Belgian national Marie Thérèse Anne Chaballe, of 768 Sherbrooke St. East, Montreal. Joseph has extensive prior military service. Firstly, eight years in the 64th Regiment, Belgium forces, and 3 years in Belgian Congo. Secondly, seven months service in China. And finally, 11 years in the Canadian Militia. Had malaria in Central Africa in 1898, with liver disturbance, from which he made a good recovery.
Service
Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe attested 24 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. Joseph stood 5’4″ tall, with fair complexion, blue eyes and his hair was turning grey. He was Roman Catholic. Joseph married to Marie Thérèse Anne Chaballe. They have two children. His family will later move to Paris.
Temporarily attached to Canadian HQ as Assistant Provost Marshall to 30th Battalion, Shorncliffe, 4 April 1915. On 15 May 1915, S.o.S. on return to Canada. Joseph is on leave until 22 January 1916.
Arrived from Canada and posted to 23rd Reserve Battalion. Granted certificate, having completed 7th Officers’ Course, 4 April 1916.
Proceeded to 22nd Battalion, 1 July 1916. Permitted to revert to the rank of Lieutenant at own request, 25 July 1916. To be A/Captain, 21 August 1916. To be Captain, 22 August 1916.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
The Van Doos not involved in the initial attack during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, on the morning of 15 September 1916. This was the battle which saw the dawn of a new weapon – the tank. Though most tanks failed to reach their objective, the lumbering hulks did shock the German troops. Tanks easily penetrated by high velocity shells, and one busted tank awaited the 22nd Battalion in Courcelette.
The Van Doos ordered to take Courcelette with the 26th Battalion, and establish a line just east of the village. Due to the spontaneous nature of Canadian Corps Commander General Byng’s attack, both battalions would advance in full daylight without jumping off trenches, and only a light bombardment.
Sausage Valley
At 10h30, 15 September 1916, the 22nd Bn. leaves for the trenches 1000 yards S.W. of Pozieres. They arrive at SAUSAGE VALLEY, just east of La-Boiselle in the early afternoon. Then, at 13h00 information received that Courcelette appears to be held by snipers only. And then, at 17h00 order received that Battalion is to advance through the 27th Bn., take Courcelette, and occupy North and East of village. Finally, at 18h15, the assault launched.
Upon reaching the first occupied German trenches, they attacked with bayonets, driving the Germans into the village itself. Attacking from the right, the men of the Van Doos split into smaller groups to clear the village, with the 25th Battalion approaching from the left to meet in the middle.
Courcelette
The objective gained at 19h00. Two hundred prisoners taken. Thirty-nine men of the 22nd Bn. lose their lives. Joseph wounded in the right hand, and remains at duty. For another seventy hours.
Seven counter-attacks beaten off during the night, mainly against the Quarry and Cemetery. Another seventeen men of the Van Doos are killed. However, only seven of their bodies are recovered.
German Counter-attacks
Both battalions now had to dig in to face the inevitable German counterattacks. They were low on ammunition, food, and water. They scavenge German ammunition for use. Bombs, and extra rifles are collected. The Germans attack four times on the night of 16 September.
By the end of 17 September, the 22nd Battalion will be down to 200 men, of the original 900. The battalions receive a food and water party from the 26th Battalion, their first meal in three days. That night, two more attacks by the enemy are repulsed. However, another thirty-one men of the 22nd Bn. are killed. Again, only the bodies of three of these men are recovered.
At 07h00 on 18 September 1916, the 22nd Bn. is relieved by the 4th Bn., and they march back to reserve trenches between La Boiselle, and Contalmaison. Van Doos total casualties during tour were 87 missing or killed-in-action, and 225 wounded. About a 37% casualty rate. Canadian Corps casualties during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette were 7,230 killed, wounded, or missing.
Military Cross
For his heroic actions over the course of seventy hours of continuous engagement, Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe earns the Military Cross. The MC is granted in recognition of “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land” to all members of the British Armed Forces of any rank.
Joseph Henri Chaballe, London Gazette No. 29824, page 11077, 14 November 1916.
“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the capture of an enemy position, organized its defense, and held it against thirteen different counter-attacks, displaying great courage and initiative. Later, although wounded, he continued in action.”
To be A/Major, 20 September 1916.
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Joseph Henri Chaballe led his company at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. While the Canadians establish their presence on the ridge overlooking the Doaui plain, on 1 May 1917, Joseph’s dugout on Vimy Ridge is blown-in by a high velocity shell. Three men are killed.
Joseph is rendered unconscious. He is buried for nearly four hours. But, regains consciousness shortly before he is pulled out. His body is crushed from head to toe. He has a concussion, but no broken bones.
There are many other stories of soldiers being buried alive for hours. Sometimes, even days, and still surviving. Whether or not they are physically wounded, they will share the same thing in common. Shell shock.
Joseph, like any other man in his position, is now suffering from PTSD. However, if it could get any worse for Joseph, it will, and does. No sooner having been dug out, he is blown over by another shell. This time, a Mustard Gas shell. Now, he is dazed, and temporarily blinded by the gas.
PTSD
Helped to HQ, Joseph is shaking badly, and he is weeping, and not just because of the gas. Firstly, on admission to the C.C.S., he is trembling from head to foot, and has difficulty speaking. By May 11, his condition has improved considerably, but he has difficulty standing due to the pain in his back. Finally, on May 31, he is anxious, and wishes to be sent to stay with his wife and two children. However, they are now living at 129 Boulevard de Grenelle, Paris.
Relinquishes A/Major rank, 2 May 1917. Admitted No. 7 General Hospital, St. Omer, 3 May 1917. Then, admitted 4th London General Hospital, 3 June 1917. Finally, on 7 June 1917, he is nearly recovered after having spent 5 weeks in hospital.
Joseph Henri Chaballe discharged from Active Service, 10 June 1917. Joseph is granted leave to Paris, where he stays with his wife and children, pending embarkation to Canada.
Return to Canada
On 14 April 1918, Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe is S.o.S. and returned to Canada. Annie and the children have sailed back to Canada and await Joseph at the St. Ursule Hotel, St. Louis St., Quebec. They later moved to 86 Saunders St., Quebec.
Firstly, on 13 May 1918, he is S.o.S. to 5th Canadian Garrison Regiment, in Quebec city. Then, on 13 August 1918, he is found unfit for light duty – 3 months. Unfit Home Service – 6 months. And then, he is declared Permanently unfit General Service.
Joseph tells doctors he is stiff in nearly all his movements, and at times especially in damp weather. His pain is determined to be of a Rhuematic character in all joints.
Awards
In addition to being awarded the Military Cross, Joseph Henri Chaballe was decorated by the President of France and twice by the King of Belgium.
- Awarded Legion d’Honneur (Chevalier) by the President of the French Republic, L.G. 32113.
- Awarded Order de Leopold (Chevalier) by His Majesty King of the Belgians, L.G. 32428.
- Awarded Order de Leopold II (Croix du Guerre) by His Majesty King of the Belgians, L.G. 32428.
Before his death, Joseph wrote the history of the 22nd Battalion in the Great War. Joseph identified each officer in the photo above, and also noted whether they were killed (T) or wounded (B). There are many notable men of the 22nd Battalion in the photo. Firstly, there are no less than ten men who earned the Military Cross. Secondly, the first French-Canadian who served as Governor General of Canada, Major General Georges-Philéas Vanier PC (Can) DSO MC & Bar CD. Finally, one the the most illustrious Canadians of the Great War, Lieutenant Jean Brillant, Victoria Cross, Military Cross.
- Chaballe, Joseph. Histoire du 22e Bataillon canadien-français, Tome 1, 1914-1919. Montréal: Les éditions Chantecler Ltée, 1952.
Joseph Henri Chaballe was promoted colonel in 1929. Then, he became head of translation at the Ministry of Defense. He received many letters of congratulations for writing an English-French, and French-English military dictionary. Colonel Joseph Henri Chaballe died on 13 April 1952.
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