Joseph, Raoul VENNAT was born on May 14, 1869. He is the son of François Vennat, hatter, aged twenty-nine, and Marie, Émilie Gouzy, his wife, aged eighteen.
He entered the service on November 15, 1887 as a conditional enlistment with the 123rd Infantry Regiment, was appointed corporal on May 16, 1888, and was placed on standby on November 15, 1888.
He married Henriette, Marie, Gabrielle Mellé in La Rochelle on May 26, 1891.
He was appointed reserve second lieutenant with the 123rd Infantry Regiment on December 31, 1891, and reserve lieutenant with the 138th Territorial Infantry Regiment on September 20, 1902.
Settled in Canada since 1903, he resigned from the reserves in 1910 (he was 41 years old), unable to complete his reserve training periods due to his settlement abroad. A trader-importer in Canada and father of eight children, including two boys, he did not hesitate to return to France to resume service when war was declared. Enlisted as a volunteer in 1914 with the 138th Territorial Regiment, he was reintegrated into the ranks at his request as a lieutenant in the 123rd Infantry Regiment on the 23rd of September. On November 30, 1914, he was posted to the 237th Infantry Regiment.
Appointed captain on January 5, 1916, he was cited in the brigade order on June 6, 1916 by the colonel commanding the 40th Infantry Brigade with the following wording: “Living in Canada at the time of mobilization, was rushed to France despite his 48 years of age, his many family responsibilities and poor health, and was anxious to serve in a 1st line regiment, when he was to be assigned to a territorial formation. Constantly set an example of the finest energy and, although exhausted, only agreed to be evacuated when his regiment was no longer in danger.”
Discharged on August 8, 1916 for lung problems, he was sent home on September 9, 1916. He has a total of five years of active service, two of which were spent in the war.
The eldest son, Jean, was killed by the enemy on September 11, 1917 at Chemin des Dames, at the age of 20. He was an aspirant to the 319th Infantry Regiment and had received two commendations:
The eldest son, Jean, was killed by the enemy on September 11, 1917 at Chemin des Dames, at the age of 20. He was an aspirant to the 319th Infantry Regiment and had received two commendations:
“Emeritus patroller, always volunteering for the most dangerous missions, crossed in broad daylight on October 2, 1916, an electrified network, jumped into the enemy trench and got rid of two opponents, wounding a sentry and killing an NCO, then rejoined the lines.”
“As a young aspirant of great moral value, he took part as a volunteer in a number of activities where he was admired by all for his high sense of duty, his energy and his tenacity. Conducted numerous patrols day and night and brought back valuable information thanks to his clever initiative. Was fatally beaten on September 11, 1917 while leading a patrol he had requested to command. Had taken such an ascendancy over his men and inspired such affection in them that they disputed his body with the enemy for two nights and finally brought it back to our lines in broad daylight at the risk of their lives.”
Holder of the Croix de Guerre, Joseph, Raoul Vennat founded in Montreal the Association of Veterans of the Great War, the Rest Home for Veterans, war widows and their families, the Summer Camp for war orphans and children from the French colony.
Holder of the Croix de Guerre, Joseph, Raoul Vennat founded in Montreal the Association of Veterans of the Great War, the Rest Home for Veterans, war widows and their families, the Summer Camp for war orphans and children from the French colony.
He was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by decree of July 1, 1931 as a former infantry captain. It was Édouard Carteron, Consul General of France, who presented him with his knight's cross on January 1, 1932 in Montreal, Canada.
