Genet, John Ernest

John Ernest Genet
	5 October 1891 – 24 June 1976
	;
Nickname	Jakey
Place of birth	Brantford, Ontario
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Canadian Army
Rank	Brigadier
Awards	CBE, MC

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Brigadier John Ernest Genet CBE, MC (5 October 1891 - 24 June 1976) was a Canadian soldier who played a significant role with the Signal Corps in the Second World War.

Early Life

Son of Harry and Fannie Genet of Brantford Ontario, he was exposed to military life through his father who served 18 years with the 38th Regiment (Dufferin Rifles). John listed his job as being a bank clerk prior to attesting for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Service

Genet joined the 38th Regiment (Dufferin Rifles) on 11 September 1908 and served in the ranks until September 1912 when he was commissioned as a Provisional Lieutenant. In 1913 he was confirmed in his rank and he continued to serve in the unit until 18 February 1914 when he resigned. He rejoined the unit on 4 March 1915 prior to attesting with the 36th Battalion, CEF, in May 1915. In October 1915 he became a qualified Signaller after completing a course at Shorncliffe. Subsequently he was transferred to the Canadian Engineers Training Depot in January 1916. On 16 May 1916 he joined 2 Canadian Divisional Signal Company as a supernumerary officer. He was slightly wounded in the left leg in September 1916 from an accidental gun shot wound but he quickly rejoined his unit. In January 1918 he attended a wireless course at the Army School of Signalling and, upon completion at the beginning of February he joined 1st Canadian Divisional Signal Company as the Officer in Charge of Divisional Artillery Signals and made an Acting Captain. In June 1918 he was hospitalized for a week with a perineum abscess but otherwise he seems to have remained healthy throughout the war. In February 1919 he was made a Temporary Captain in the Canadian Engineers prior to returning to Canada in April of that year.

Upon his return to Canada he transferred to the Permanent Force as a Lieutenant with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I.). He was promoted Temporary Captain in September 1920. On 1 March 1924, owing to an expanded establishment, he was officially transferred to the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.

5 July 1924 - Transferred from MD No. 2 to The Depot, R.C.C.S.

He was promoted Major on 4 August 1932.

Appointed Instructor-Signals at the Royal Canadian School of Signals, Camp Borden from 7 December 1933 until 20 October 1935

In October 1935 Major Genet was transferred from Bordon Ontario to Edmonton Alberta and assumed the duties of "Traffic Superintendent" and the Officer Commanding the Northwest Detachment, RC Signals (precursor to the Northwest Territories and Yukon Radio System), a duty he held until July 1938.

Then transferred to the Canadian Signal Training Centre at Kingston Ontario.

1939 - 1940 Commanding Officer 1st Divisional Signals

Joined Canadian Active Service Force 1 September 1939 (at Signal Training Centre) - rank is Lt-Col

Posted to R..C. Signals Concentration Camp, Barriefield Ont 26 Sep 1939

Posted to 1st Canadian Divisional Signals 27 Sep 1939

Temporarily relinquishes command while acting as Commandant of Concentration Camp 25 October until 30 November 1939

Proceeded overseas on Ship E.4. from Halifax 7 December 1939 and disembarked in the United Kingdom on 18 December.

Was in France between 13 and 21 February when 1 Canadian Division elements were sent to the continent but had to withdraw.

1940 - 1941 Chief Signal Officer VII Corps

Appointed Chief Signal Officer of Canadian Forces 4 July 1940

Promoted Colonel 14 July 1940

Relinquish command 1 Div Sigs 18 July 1940

Joined 7th Corps as CSO 20 July 1940

1941 - 1942 Chief Signal Officer I Canadian Corps, England

1942 - 1945 Chief Signal Officer 1st Canadian Army, England

Promoted to Brigadier and appointed CSO 1st Canadian Army 6 April 1942

Embarked in UK 2 July 1944 and disembarked in France 4 July

He was Mentioned in Despatches twice, the first being in June 1945^[1] and the second in April 1946.^[2]

Received the Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) (USA) in 1946.^[3]

Retired 7 May 1946

Served six years as Honorary Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals 18 August 1948 – 18 August 1954

Military Cross Citation

In 1916 Lieutenant Genet was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field.^[4]. His citation read:

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

Commander of the Order of the British Empire Citation

Brigadier Genet was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1943.^[5] His citation read:

This officer was appointed to command 1 Canadian Divisional Signals on mobilization and proceeded oversees with his unit in the fall of 1939. He was appointed Chief Signal Officer, 7 Corps, on formation and subsequently became Canadian Corps, and, in April 1942, Chief Signal Officer, First Canadian Army, the post he at present holds. Throughout he has been the Senior Signals Officer in the United Kingdom and personally responsible for the organization, administration and development of the Canadian Army's communications system overseas. he has discharged his duties with energy, skill and efficiency and the satisfactory state of organization, training and discipline of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Overseas is, in a large measure, due to this officer's zeal and ability. He has been unsparing in his efforts to bring the R.C. Signals to the highest degree of efficiently and his enthusiastic leadership and determination had been an inspiration and example to his officers and men.

Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) (USA) Citation

The citation for his award, in the Degree of Commander, of the Legion of Merit read:

Brig Genet has been Chief Signals Officer First Cdn Army throughout the campaign in North West Europe and accordingly has been responsible for the successful maintenance of communications during operations. In discharging this most important task he has consistently shown an acute appreciation of the problems which have from time to time arisen, great ability as an organizor and at improvisation, tireless energy and high qualities of leadership. Due in very large measure to his efforts, capabilities and example, vital communications have been established efficiently and maintained no matter what the difficulties and conditions. He has accordingly contributed in an important degree to the success of operations and has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.