Rudy Goetz, Faces to Graves.1

Born on March 10th of 1921, Rudolf “Rudy” Goetz was an only child to Gerhard and Anna Goetz. Originating from Molotschna, a Mennonite settlement in the southern regions of Russia, their family immigrated to Canada in 1924.2

They first settled in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan in 1924 where they lived for about ten years. In the mid-1930s, his family finally made their way to Yarrow. While in Yarrow, Rudy went to Yarrow Elementary School, but dropped out when he was 15 years old. He took various seasonal odd jobs, but eventually returned to Yarrow Bible School and graduated in 1941. His education was sponsored by the Mennonite Brethren Church.3

Like many other young Mennonite men, Rudy wanted to serve in the war. Unlike Wittenberg, Goetz listened to the Church and opted for non-combatant service. In December of 1943, Rudy enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC). Along with eleven other Yarrow recruits, Rudy declared a conscientious objection to war.4

After his enlistment, Rudy was sent to Trenton, Ontario to complete his basic training. He completed his medical training in Camp Borden, Ontario. Once his training was completed, Rudy was assigned to the 12th Field Ambulance Corps. After spending some time with his parents back in Yarrow, Rudy eventually arrived in Europe in July of 1944. The following month, Goetz was transferred to the 11th Field Ambulance Corps and joined his new unit in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, France. He served as a stretcher-bearer.5

Rudy’s gravestone at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.6

After relocating to Germany in early 1945, Goetz and his unit were overwhelmed with calls for stretcher-bearers after the brigade they were assigned had 160 casualties. While tending to those in need, Goetz was gravely injured by a shell that exploded nearby. In the evening of March 8th, 1945, two months before the War ended, it was announced that Private Rudolf “Rudy” Goetz was killed in action after suffering major wounds to his stomach. He was temporarily buried in Xanten, Germany before being exhumed and reburied in his final resting place at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands. He was just shy of 24 years old.7

  1. Deanna Friesen, Picture of Private Rudolf “Rudy” Goetz, Faces to Graves, https://www.facestograves.nl/LifeStories/GOETZ%20Rudolf-OTS-bio-EN.pdf. ↩︎
  2. Marlene Dance, “Goetz, Rudolf Private 11th Canadian Field Ambulance Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps K/1553,” Faces to Graves, https://www.facestograves.nl/LifeStories/GOETZ%20Rudolf-OTS-bio-EN.pdf. ↩︎
  3. Harold J. Dyck, “Yarrow Book Manuscript Files/Yarrow War Dead Essay Draft,” Chilliwack Museum & Archives, archive ID: 2003.069.003.004.005. ↩︎
  4. Dyck, “Yarrow Book Manuscript.” ↩︎
  5. Dance, “Goetz, Rudolf.” ↩︎
  6. Dance, “Goetz, Rudolf.” ↩︎
  7. Dance, “Goetz, Rudolf.” ↩︎