John Ernest Genet MC

Rank:

Captain

Unit at enlistment:

36th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Belleville, Ontario - Unknown Cemetery

Awards or decorations:

Military Cross

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church, Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

173 Chatham Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

173 Chatham Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Bank clerk

Employer:

Bank of Montreal

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29824
Date: November 14, 1916
Honour or Award: Military Cross
Authority: R.O. 803, Byng, October 6, 1916
Name: John Ernest Genet (Lieutenant)
Unit: 2nd Canadian Divisional Signal Company

Details: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He personally successfully supervised and directed the maintenance of all signal communications to the rear, with great skill and determination, working under great difficulties and continual bombardments.

BX November 1, 1916

Military Cross for Lieutenant John Ernest Genet – Popular Young Local Officer’s Services in Field Recognized

Lieut. Jack Genet, signalling officer of the 58th Battalion, has been awarded the Military Cross for efficiency in the field.

The information came to the city today in a letter received by Mr. Walter Boddy from the young Brantford officer, who mentioned the fact that the honor had been conferred upon him. He did not give any details as to the action which was responsible for the award.

Lieutenant John Ernest Genet is the eldest son of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Augustus Genet, commanding officer of the 58th Battalion. Lieut. Genet always took a keen interest in military work, being a member of the Dufferin Rifles for some time before the war opened. He was a member of the staff of the local branch of the Bank of Montreal previous to joining the 58th Battalion.

BX September 6, 1916

Lieutenant John Ernest Genet is Wounded – Popular Signalling Officer of 36th Battalion is on Casualty List

This morning’s casualty list contains the name of another Brantford officer who has been wounded on the field of battle, Lieutenant John E. Genet. Lieutenant “Jack” Genet, son of Lt.-Col. And Mrs. Harry Genet was a keen young soldier and one of the most popular officers to leave the city. He was in times of peace actively associated with the Dufferin Rifles, where he showed remarkable soldiering abilities. He left here as a signaling officer with the Third Contingent on March 31, 1915. Previous to enlistment he was on the banking staff of the Bank of Montreal here.

His father, Lt.-Col. Genet, is officer commanding the 58th Battalion, now in France. His brother, Lieutenant Harry Genet is at Saloniki with an Imperial regiment. Mrs. Genet is at Folkestone.

BX June 26, 1976

Brig J.E. Genet, 84 dies at Belleville

Funeral service was conducted today in Belleville for Brigadier John Ernest Genet, who died on Thursday at the age of 84.

Brig. Genet, who was born in Brantford, won high praise as chief signals officer of the First Canadian Army during the Second World War.

Brig. Genet was made a Companion of the British Empire and a commander of the Legion of Merit of the United States for his work as chief signal officer.

General H.D.G. Crerar, then head of Canadian troops, said Brig. Genet had a genius of picking able men, persuading them to cooperate among themselves and giving their best.

Harry Truman, then U.S. president, said he was “a master of improvisation, a great organizer, consistently solving new and difficult problems under adverse conditions which contributed in an important degree to the success of the Allied operations.”

Brigadier Genet joined the Dufferin Rifles in Brantford in 1908 and remained in the forces until his retirement in 1946.

He served for another six years as Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.