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LIEUTENANT LEO ORBAN MICHENER
IS THE DEAD AVIATOR LEO MICHENER?
Cable Tells of an Accident of Two Airmen
Slight Difference in the Name May Be an Error in Transmission and May Refer to Gallant Welland Lad
Two Airmen Killed
London, Aug. 5-Major Justin Ross of the Royal Engineers and Lieut. Leo Michener were killed in a biplane accident in the eastern counties Friday evening.
18 September 1894-2 August 1917
[Welland Telegraph, 9 August 1917]
The above cable, which appeared in the press of Monday morning, leads many to believe that the lieutenant referred to is Lieut. Leo Michener of Welland, though up to time of going to press, no message had been received here from overseas.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Michener, have been for the past three months at Blayney, Norfolk county, where Mr. Michener is recuperating from a long illness. Mr. Michener saw the item in the paper on Monday afternoon and immediately telephoned Welland to know if any official message had been received at the local telegraph offices.
Leo a short time ago joined the flying forces in England and was in training. The similarity of his name to the one printed in the cable leads one to suspect that the cable has a typographical error.
He went overseas early in the war with Col. Stewart’s battalion of Hamilton. He was unusually proficient as a signaller and served in that capacity in France for many months. At one time he was officially reported killed but on a cable being sent he replied that he was not even injured. Later, however, while on observation, he was injured and gassed, which necessitated his being sent to England. As soon as he was able he went into training for a commission as lieutenant which he secured. Two months ago he decided to join the flying forces.
He was for some years a member of the 44th battalion. Up to the time of his enlistment he was on the staff of the Provincial Hydro Electric Commission at Toronto.
An only son of Mr. and Mrs. Michener, it is to be hoped that further advices may allay the very grave fears that are at present entertained.
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