Photo: Brian Chandler

Grave Marker, Montreal

22nd battalion cap badge

Jean Longstaff has submitted the following:-

Born and 20th August 1894 and baptised at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Montreal, Canada, Michael Bernard Aloysius Beaudette was the son of French Canadian Head Chef Amedee Jean Baptiste Beaudette and his Irish wife Mary (nee Falls).. Michael was the fourth of six children, James, Arthur, Johanna, Agnes and William, plus another three brothers who had died in infancy. Brought up in the St. Louis Quarter, by the age of 16 he was working as a telegraphic operator for GNW, but went on to become a fireman.

At the end of May 1916 Michael enlisted with the 206th (Canadiens Francais) Battalion in Montreal, and was attached for duty to the Bermuda Garrison, arriving on the island at the start of August, when he was transferred to the 163rd (Canadiens Francais) Battalion as a Lance Corporal. The Battalion left Bermuda at the end of November, sailing via Nova Scotia to Liverpool, and a posting to Bramshott Camp, Hampshire where the men were absorbed into the 10th Reserve Battalion based at Shoreham, Kent.

A year after enlisting Michael was part of a draft posted to the 22nd (Van Doo) Battalion, part of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division and reverting to the rank of Private, joined his new battalion at Aux Rietz. Reported as wounded during fighting at Lens in July, he remained on duty, and having fought at Hill 70 and Passchendaele was later was admitted to 10th Field Ambulance at Camligneul with swollen legs, not rejoining his unit until 10th October at Mericourt.

Granted leave to Paris in February 1918, five months later he was punished for being drunk whilst on active service, but was still promoted to Lance Sergeant in August. October saw him wounded on the left buttock at Tilloy, just outside Cambrai, and he was eventually evacuated to England, where he was admitted to the Northern War Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. For his actions at Cambrai he was recommended for a Military Medal.

Whilst in hospital Sgt Beaudette developed pneumonia and on 18th October was diagnosed as seriously ill. He died two days later and was awarded the Military Medal posthumously. The citation reads "for remarkable bravery & devotion to duty, during operations north of Cambrai between 01-14 October 1918. While occupying an advanced post, the enemy invaded and occupied his position. Although wounded twice, Sergeant Beaudette rallied his men and, at their head, regained the post and drove out the enemy with grenades. In the course of this operation he showed great initiative and determination; his attitude was an inspiration to his comrades”.

His name does not appear on any local war memorial.

In Canada he is remembered on their Virtual War Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance, and on a family grave marker in Cimetiere Notre-Dame-des Nieges, Montreal.

Canadian Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual Memorial
The CWGC entry for Lance Sergeant Beaudette