George Frank Betts

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

11655

Unit at enlistment:

4th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Wounded:

Yes

Date of death:

June 13th, 1916

Cemetery:

Menin Gate Memorial - Ypres, Belgium - Panel 18.24.26.30

Commemorated at:

Wesley United Church, Massey-Harris Memorial Plaque (Toronto)

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

41 Ontario Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

41 Ontario Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Wesleyan

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. This soldier was killed and buried by a 5.9 shell in the German trenches, in front of Maple Copse, about 8:30 a.m., June 13th 1916.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Ypres.

BX June 29, 1916

Private Frank "Barney" Betts has been officially reported killed in action. At the battle of Langemarck he was wounded, shot through the lungs. After recovering he was transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion and later was sent back to the 4th Battalion. He landed back in France on March 25, the same day that his brother, Sapper William Betts was killed.

The telegram announcing his death was received by his mother, Mrs. Margaret Betts, of 41 Ontario Street. Just a few hours before going into action at the battle in which he was apparently killed, Pte. Betts wrote a letter home and this was only received a short time before the telegram announcing his death.

Before enlisting Frank Betts worked at the Adams Wagon Company. He assisted his father, who is a carriage blacksmith there. Besides his parents, five brothers and three sisters survive. They are Margaret, Florence and Eva at home; Roy of Winnipeg, Ken, Clare, Harry and Vernon at home.

The following is the letter, which was received by his mother only a few hours before the telegram arrived announcing his death in action:

Dear Vernon,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive. I guess you have heard about the doings going on out here by now. I am going into battle tonight, so I am taking this chance of writing you. Perhaps it will be my last. If I go to the happy hunting grounds, please do not feel bad, as my troubles and worries will be over.

It is going to be bloody work. It is just a year ago today since I arrived at Shorncliffe. I wonder if I'll ever see it again. I'll close before a shell lands and does it for me. Well good bye to all, hoping I am spared to write again. With love to all.

Your af. Bro.
Frank

BX September 9, 1916

Killed and Buried by the Same Shell - Private Frank Betts Was Killed in Advance at Hooge Just as he Reached Hun Trench

The family of the late Frank Betts, some time ago reported killed, has received further particulars of the manner in which he met his death.

The deceased, whose brother William had been killed but a short time before, was taking part in an advance at Hooge. Just at 8.30 as he was crossing the German first line trench, a 5.9 shell burst, and killed Betts and three others who were near him. Betts was buried so deep that his body could not be recovered, and it was allowed to remain where interred, it being felt that it was a most appropriate place for the hero.

The body of his brother, William, has been laid to rest in the Rosenberg Chateau Military Cemetery, at Ploegsteert (Plug Street) in Belgium.

BX September 30, 1914

Sent Farewell To His Mother – Private Betts Wrote After Brantford Boys Had Embarked For England

The following letter was received from G.F. Betts of the Fourth Battalion, Overseas Contingent, and formerly of the Dufferin Rifles. It was addressed to his mother and was written on board ship. That there are no “fungers” among the Brantford volunteers is shown by the fact that although the week before the troops began to leave all were given the opportunity to return to their homes if they so wished, none of the local contingent availed themselves of it. The letter reads:

September 26, 1914
Saturday
On Board S.S. Tyrolia

Dear Mother,

Just a few lines to let you know that we are about to sail. We left Valcartier Friday afternoon and embarked at 9.30 p.m., Friday night. This boat is a C.P.R. liner.

We are lying off shore about midway in the St. Lawrence opposite Quebec. We were marched direct from the train to the ship, so had no time to see anything of picturesque Old Quebec. We will likely sail at any moment. They are vaccinating everyone who cannot show vaccination marks. I have the marks, so I guess I am alright. We were served with a meal as soon as we got on board. First time we have sat at a table since we left home. Seemed queer getting back to a table again.

We are going third-class – somewhat better than was expected. The food is good, much better than in camp. Our whole battalion is on board and we are pretty well crowded. There are four berths in our stateroom. Will is just across the passageway. They gave everyone a chance to go home last week. We are going to stick with the show and see it through. The boys have nothing to do but to eat and sleep till the end of the voyage. Don’t worry about us. We will take some hard-tack with us and they are bullet-proof.

We are likely to stay in England for some time to get a final polishing up before we take a crack at the Germans. Will has been made assistant to color-sergeant, so he is making out alright. Hoping all are well, your affectionate son,

Frank

BX May 14, 1915

Cheerful Letter From a Wounded Soldier – Private Betts is Eager to Get Back to the Firing Line to Get Even With the Germans – Has Been in Many Hospitals Since He Received Injury

Such a thing as being downhearted never seems to be the case with a British soldier, whether he is from the Old Land or from the Dominions overseas. Under the most trying conditions with everything apparently adverse to cheerfulness, the old time spirit breaks through the gloomy surroundings. This is the case with Private Frank Betts, of this city, who at last word was in a hospital on the French coast, recovering from the effects of a bullet through the shoulder. His one hope is that he will be able to get back and account for enough of the enemy to put a stop to the war. His latest letter, dated April 28, and received this morning by his parents here, is as follows:

April 28, 1915

Pte. F. Betts
No. 11655
16th Section, A. Company
4th Canadian Battalion
British Expeditionary Force
1st Canadian Division

Dear Mother and all,

Just a few lines to let you know I am alright. I guess you would see by the papers what we have been doing. I sent you a card as soon as I could to let you know I was still amongst the living. I only got one through the right shoulder on Friday, the twenty-third, and was lucky I only got that, to what some of the poor fellows got. The bullets flew through the air as thick as hail at the beginning of winter. I don’t know how Bill came out of it. I never saw him but I hope he was as lucky as I was. I witnessed some awful sights but they never bothered me any. I thought it would. The Germans used gas shells, but they couldn’t make our boys retire. I have been in about a dozen hospitals since I was hit – had a sea voyage on the Red Cross ship – but I am still in France in another hospital. That is what they call it, but it is just a camp of canvas huts. We get well fed. I’ll be as fit as ever in a few days.

I was in the Australian hospital not far from Calais, and they treated us with the utmost kindness and gave us all we wanted to eat, drink and smoke. There was one of the British regulars of the First Suffolk Regiment next to me, with the same name as mine. It was a coincidence. When I awakened on Tuesday morning the orderly told me there was another Frank Betts. I thought it was Bill, who had put down my name by mistake. They gave us oatmeal porridge – the first since I left home. I lost everything on the field, even my razor, the one I had for nine years. I tried my best to save some things, but I was lucky to get back myself, I guess. Now don’t throw a fit when you see my name in the paper or read this, as I am not badly hurt, and will soon be able to be with my company again, and I hope that I get enough of them next time to end the war. I am sketching this in the “Y.” they have here. I sure have done some travelling since I’ve been in this country.

This city near here is a large one. I would tell you the name, only they would mark it out. It is on the coast. Can you guess what it is? Well it is almost time to go to my flop, so will bid you all a kind good night, and hope to see you all this summer.

With love to all, your affectionate son,

Frank

BX May 1915

Germans Fired From Three Ways at Once – Private George Frank Betts wrote home from Cardiff Wales

I suppose you saw in the papers about the 4th Battalion. Our Colonel Birchall got killed. He sure was a brave man. He went up the field just as if there was no war on, and the bullets, shrapnel, Johnsons and war shells were as thick as hail, and I am not exaggerating. I only got about half way across the field when I got mine. How anybody got through it without being hit, is a miracle. After I was hit, they tried to get me again. I got my trenching tool out with my left hand and dug a little hollow to lie in and the bullets hitting the ground all around me; three shrapnels burst so close I was nearly buried and a piece of shell hit the handle of my trenching tool, just missing my head by about two inches. I lay in the open with the beggars sniping at me and wondering where the next shell would burst. Then I made up my mind to beat it for cover. How I got away without getting hit again I don’t know. The bullets threw up the ground all around me. I must have had a charmed life that day. I got away lucky to what some of the poor fellows got. It was awful. I don’t want to see another day like that one. I got back to a farm house, about 1,000 yards from the German line. They shelled it all day and the house was just packed with wounded – some of the poor beggars got hit again. I lay in the cellar till ten at night, then beat it. The shells were still flying, but I got away alright. The Canadians covered themselves with glory, but look at the cost.

Bob McCartney is here in the next cot to me, he got one through the left leg. I never saw him. We started the battle that day. We fell in at 1 a.m. and marched along in the darkness till it got almost light, then we got into the slaughter. It was simply murder to go across that field; it was as level as a billiard table, and the Huns had machine guns and every other kind; had us under fire from three ways and the men went down like wheat. People at home have no idea what a modern battle is like, but take it from me; it is simply hell on earth. The ground trembles when those Jack Johnsons burst. It was a wonderful sight to see our boys advancing in a long line with bayonets fixed. The Germans don’t like the Canadians any more than they do the Gurkhas.

BX May 10, 1915

Another Brantford casualty was announced this morning when word was received by Mrs. A.W. Betts, 41 Ontario Street that her son, Frank Betts, had been wounded, and was lying in the hospital. The word was not received officially through Ottawa, or through the publication of the casualty lists, it being given on a form card, received from Private Frank Betts, written as he was lying in bed. He is better known as "Barney."

The form letter-card was as follows: "I have been admitted into hospital, wounded, and am going on well, hope to be discharged soon. I am being sent down to the base. Letter follows at first opportunity. Signed, Frank Betts, April 25, 1915."

This card was written within three days of the heavy fighting at the battle of Langemarck, when so many Canadians, including a goodly share of Brantford men, were wounded. It is evident that in this battle Pte. Betts received his wounds, though no indication is given as to their extent save that he expects to be discharged soon. The card was the first word received, his name not having been on the casualty list published to date. Neither had his mother received any word from Ottawa.

Private Betts left Brantford with the first contingent from the Dufferin Rifles. He had been previously connected with the regiment for six years being at the time that he enlisted for active service in E. Company, commanded by Capt. E.H. Newman. He enlisted for overseas service the first night that the recruiting office was opened. Pte. Betts was employed with his father, a blacksmith in the Adams Wagon works, for some time, though immediately before leaving he had been employed at the Massey-Harris works.

The Betts family was well represented in Canada's fighting forces. Pte. Frank Betts' brother, William, is also with the first contingent, though not wounded so far as is known. Every member of the family has served with Canadian militia, the honor roll being: Grandfather Betts with regulars in the rebellion in 1837; Albert Betts (Father) with 39th Norfolk Rifles; Frank with 38th Dufferin Rifles; William, with 39th Norfolk Rifles; Clare, six years with 25th Brant Dragoons; Kenneth, three years in 25th Brant Dragoons, and Vernon with the 32nd Battery here.

BX May 12, 1915

Officially Confirmed

Official confirmation of the wounding of Private Frank Betts has been received in the city by the relatives of the Brantford volunteer. No details were given as to his condition, but further particulars were promised as soon as they are received at Ottawa. The first intimation of the wounding reached Brantford by letter from Pte. Betts himself and was announced in the Expositor several days ago.