Subscribe..
Impressive Memorial Service for Lieutenant Leo. Michener
“I SHALL GO TO WEST WEARING
MY TWO STARS AND WITHOUT A TRACE OF BITTERESS”
[Welland Telegraph, 21 August 1917]
Lieut. Leo Michener, who was killed in a biplane accident in England on August 3rd., went overseas with the second contingent, as a member of the 19th battalion, under Col. McLaren. He was for many months a signalling officer on the Ypres salient. While on duty at Loos, he was reported to have died of wounds, though he was able to anticipate the official message with a cable message saying that he was well and unwounded. At Courcellete a year ago he was gassed and was returned to England. On being discharged from hospital, he entered training for a commission and was later commissioned as lieutenant to the Canadian Engineers. Early in the spring he was made a training officer in which capacity he served until his recent decision to join the Royal Air Squadron.
As to the kind of man he was, no better evidence could be deduced than the following extracts from these letters he sent home:
| “I was out to dinner one night last week with a General Lowry of the Indian Army, one of the finest men I have ever met, an English officer of the old school. He knew I was up for a commission and gave me the finest talk I have ever heard. Life to him and thousands like him is only a secondary consideration. Honor, the regiment and the Empire are first and last. I have met several of these officers since coming to England and I am beginning to get their point of view. I do not know what is going to be my end. I may get back to Canada and I may not, but if not and I go west along with so many of my pals, I’ll go with two stars on my shoulders and without a trace of bitterness, and these are some of the things I have learned from the friends I have made in the past fourteen months.” |
“Go west,” is a soldier’s term for death.
Writing under the head of the Royal Flying Corps., Wantage Hall, Reading, on June 26th, he said:-
| “You see I’m here at last, and jolly proud of myself for having managed it, and now with a bit of good luck, I should be flying my own machine by September and may possibly go to Egypt or Mesopotamia in the fall. It is all most thrillingly interesting, although by no means easy, and the chaps who are in, are every single one picked men. It is in truth the most glorious corps in the world, and we are very badly needed. I am to be a pilot, not an observer, thank goodness, which means that I will have my own machine to fly when I get my wings. Do write and say you are glad I am here, because it really is an honor to be considered good enough.” |
In another letter to a friend in Canada he was writing of his prospects of making his first solo flight.
“The danger,” he said, “is ever present and yet perhaps no more than ever, because our lives are guided by a greater Pilot than any in my glorious corps, and so long as He wills it, we shall live and no longer, and when my time comes, may I go as gallantly as dear old_. I think God loved him too much to let him stay.”
Letters of Condolence
Among many letters of condolence received by Mr. and Mrs. Michener, was the following from Rev. H.W. Avison, M.A., B.A., pastor of the Welland Methodist Church:-
| Our quarterly official board met the other evening and passed a resolution of sympathy for you in the loss of your son. It is a matter of deep regret to us that you have been called to go through such a trying experience. Your son has done valiant service in France, and it is a matter of regret that he fell in an accident. But he died in defence of our homes and our civilization and we are all indebted to him and you for Leo’s wonderful sacrifice. Please accept our sympathy and we pray that you both may be sustained in these trying days and in the lonely moments that may come. |
Memorial Service Extract
In the mourner’s pew sat the lad’s father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Michener, his sister, Zella, and his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer.
His parents are proud to say that they have no regrets about his life. He was one of a wonderful class of nine at the Y.M.C.A., all of whom went to the front and of whom five have paid the supreme penalty. Mr. Avison read extracts from some of Leo’s letters home and he concluded with this comment-
| “This is the greater love revealed in the life of this soldier. Will you follow the ideal!” |
Add A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.