Betts, Earl Ernest

Earl Betts was born in Benjamin, Utah on March 10, 1890 to parents Richard and Julia Betts. He grew up in a huge family which included siblings Eliza, Peter, Sarah, Richard, Alma, Laura, David, Rebecca, George, Clarence, Reed, Rolla, Myrtle, Grace, Inez, Ruth, Elijah and Pearl. The family immigrated to Canada with the influx of Mormon pioneers at the turn of the 20th century. They made their home near Raymond, Alberta. As a young man, Earl Betts worked a ranch near Coutts. On March 27, 1916, Earl Betts enlisted with the 113th Battalion CEF Lethbridge Highlanders. He arrived in England on October 6, 1916 on the SS Tuscania. He was transferred to the 16th Battalion CEF on November 22, 1916 and embarked for France shortly thereafter. Pte Betts remained at the front lines with the 16th Battalion for five months and saw action at key battles including the Somme, Arras, and Vimy Ridge On April 9, 1917 Pte Betts was one of 3,598 Canadian soldiers who fell at Vimy Ridge. Sadly, like many other young Canadians that day, his remains were never recovered or identified. He is remembered at the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Earl Betts was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His mother, Julia received the Memorial Cross and death plaque in honour of her son