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In Memory of Alan McLeod VC
Mar. 24, 2004
Lieutenant Alan Arnett McLeod, VC, was the youngest soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War.
By MCpl Pete Hardonk, CFSATE
On April 3rd 2004, as part of the 80th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air force (RCAF), Hangar 11, one of the eight remaining First World War aviation hangars in Borden, will be dedicated in honour of the youngest man to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War: Lt. Alan Arnett McLeod VC.
Born in Stonewall, Manitoba, April 20th 1899, young Alan McLeod dreamt of military life, so much so that he managed to join the Fort Garry Horse, a local militia cavalry regiment, for their summer exercises in 1913 at the age of fourteen. The day of his eighteenth birthday, April 20th 1917, Alan boarded a train in Winnipeg and was off to Toronto to begin training with the Royal Flying Corps.
Upon completion of training at Long Branch and Camp Borden, he joined No 2 Squadron in Hesdigneul, France. Although flying an aircraft such as the Armstrong Whitworth, which was designed for bombing, not fighting, Lt McLeod was always ready and eager to battle the enemy in the sky. For his courage and efforts, he was mentioned in dispatches on January 14th 1918 for shooting down an observation balloon while his own aircraft was being attacked.
In the spring of 1918, Lt McLeod truly solidified his stature as a hero. Within seconds after shooting down an enemy aircraft, seven members of Barron von Richtofen‘s squadron attacked McLeod and his observer. The Armstrong Whitworth was struck by enemy fire wounding McLeod and his observer and causing the aircraft to burst into flames. Because of the fire and the fact that the cockpit floor had fallen away, McLeod had to fly the plane from a standing position on the lower wing. The enemy continued to hail bullets against the bomber until it crash-landed. Both men were thrown clear of the aircraft on impact, which undoubtedly saved them from the explosion of the heavy bombs they did not have the opportunity to release.
Realizing they had crashed between the lines, McLeod grabbed hold of his unconscious observer and dragged him to safety, getting wounded once again and eventually losing consciousness himself. When found by members of an Allied infantry regiment it was noted that McLeod still had a firm grip on his observer‘s collar.
On May 1st 1918, Lt McLeod was told he was to be awarded the Victoria Cross. After the investiture on September 4th 1918 Lt McLeod returned home to continue his convalescence. Sadly, as with so many others during this time, Lt McLeod contracted influenza and died on November 6th 1918. He was only 19 years old.
It is only fitting that a man so young who gave so much be remembered. We must also never forget the many thousands of men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms and others in so many other wars and conflicts.
For more information about the dedication of the McLeod Building and other activities of the RCAF 80th Anniversary in Borden, visit the 16 Wing Web site at www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/16wing
Mar. 24, 2004
Lieutenant Alan Arnett McLeod, VC, was the youngest soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War.
By MCpl Pete Hardonk, CFSATE
On April 3rd 2004, as part of the 80th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air force (RCAF), Hangar 11, one of the eight remaining First World War aviation hangars in Borden, will be dedicated in honour of the youngest man to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War: Lt. Alan Arnett McLeod VC.
Born in Stonewall, Manitoba, April 20th 1899, young Alan McLeod dreamt of military life, so much so that he managed to join the Fort Garry Horse, a local militia cavalry regiment, for their summer exercises in 1913 at the age of fourteen. The day of his eighteenth birthday, April 20th 1917, Alan boarded a train in Winnipeg and was off to Toronto to begin training with the Royal Flying Corps.
Upon completion of training at Long Branch and Camp Borden, he joined No 2 Squadron in Hesdigneul, France. Although flying an aircraft such as the Armstrong Whitworth, which was designed for bombing, not fighting, Lt McLeod was always ready and eager to battle the enemy in the sky. For his courage and efforts, he was mentioned in dispatches on January 14th 1918 for shooting down an observation balloon while his own aircraft was being attacked.
In the spring of 1918, Lt McLeod truly solidified his stature as a hero. Within seconds after shooting down an enemy aircraft, seven members of Barron von Richtofen‘s squadron attacked McLeod and his observer. The Armstrong Whitworth was struck by enemy fire wounding McLeod and his observer and causing the aircraft to burst into flames. Because of the fire and the fact that the cockpit floor had fallen away, McLeod had to fly the plane from a standing position on the lower wing. The enemy continued to hail bullets against the bomber until it crash-landed. Both men were thrown clear of the aircraft on impact, which undoubtedly saved them from the explosion of the heavy bombs they did not have the opportunity to release.
Realizing they had crashed between the lines, McLeod grabbed hold of his unconscious observer and dragged him to safety, getting wounded once again and eventually losing consciousness himself. When found by members of an Allied infantry regiment it was noted that McLeod still had a firm grip on his observer‘s collar.
On May 1st 1918, Lt McLeod was told he was to be awarded the Victoria Cross. After the investiture on September 4th 1918 Lt McLeod returned home to continue his convalescence. Sadly, as with so many others during this time, Lt McLeod contracted influenza and died on November 6th 1918. He was only 19 years old.
It is only fitting that a man so young who gave so much be remembered. We must also never forget the many thousands of men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms and others in so many other wars and conflicts.
For more information about the dedication of the McLeod Building and other activities of the RCAF 80th Anniversary in Borden, visit the 16 Wing Web site at www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/16wing
