George Alfred Leggett

Oct 25, 1897

Born in Perth, Ontario to James Miles and Victoria (nee Reid) Leggett

 

Dec 25, 1916

Attested into the 240th Battalion CEF in Renfrew, Ontario

Ø  Number 1042618

Ø  Next of kin given as James Leggett, father, Perth, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Spinner

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

 

May 3, 1917

Embarked the SS Megantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

  

May 14, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where he was absorbed into the 7th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 



Sep 12, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 13, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 42 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 27, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Leggett joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois, France

 

Oct 9, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Leggett joined the 21st Battalion in the front line trenches east of Vimy Ridge

 

Nov 3, 1917

Just over 3 weeks after joining the battalion, the Canadian Corps was ordered into the front lines at Passchendaele, Belgium.  When the battalion took over their position north east of Crest Farm on the night of November 2-3, the German army put up a severe artillery barrage and attacked in the early morning of November 3.  Private Leggett was killed when the enemy entered the battalion’s trenches.  He was buried a short time later in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium

 

 
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Victoria Leggett, Perth, Ontario

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, James Leggett, at the same address


 The St. James Anglican Church in Perth has a brass cross behind the altar. It is in remembrance of Andrew Ronald Gamble, age 18, and George Alfred Leggett, age 20, "Chums who fell together at Passchendaele, November 3rd, 1917", presented by their parents.





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