Can you remember the days of the $.53 carton of milk, the dozen eggs for $.34 and loaf of bread for $.06. Neither can I but I do remember reading about these seemingly ridiculous prices. Of course this was back before the Great War.
Bet "Babe" could remember, if he was still alive!
He'd follow the footsteps of others before that war. Some 20,000 others who wanted to do their bit for King and Country. Who'd care that they were still kids..under 18 and forbidden to join the army of the day.
One of these was sent home to recover after being shot in the trenches. He was only 12 years old! Another was I believe 15 when he finally got signed up. He'd no doubt heard in the past that...if at first you don't succeed... and put it to the test. After apparently crossing the country and trying over 200 times the army finally accepted the teen in November of 1915. Just 2 of 20,000 such stories perhaps.
Our country had no standing army before the war, only 3,100 in the militia and another 75,000 in our "citizen army," and desperately needed men. Or should I say... boys.
But wait, maybe we could maybe take the enemy by sea... with our TWO ships! Well maybe we could send in a horse...
Bet "Babe" could remember, if he was still alive!
He'd follow the footsteps of others before that war. Some 20,000 others who wanted to do their bit for King and Country. Who'd care that they were still kids..under 18 and forbidden to join the army of the day.
One of these was sent home to recover after being shot in the trenches. He was only 12 years old! Another was I believe 15 when he finally got signed up. He'd no doubt heard in the past that...if at first you don't succeed... and put it to the test. After apparently crossing the country and trying over 200 times the army finally accepted the teen in November of 1915. Just 2 of 20,000 such stories perhaps.
Our country had no standing army before the war, only 3,100 in the militia and another 75,000 in our "citizen army," and desperately needed men. Or should I say... boys.
But wait, maybe we could maybe take the enemy by sea... with our TWO ships! Well maybe we could send in a horse...
Here's "Babe" proudly wearing the uniform of the 34th Fort Gary Horse. One has to wonder how he got past the recruiter lying about his age. Alan was born in the town of Stonewall, some 25 km n/w of Winnipeg in 1899, and from the above picture, at age 14, it is little wonder how he got the nickname "Babe."
He'd apparently done little other than grunt work. Like the grooming of horses and shoveling their you know what before someone got the wiser and sent him back home because of his age.
When only 15, the Great War was declared, and somehow his age was detected and he was sent home. But not giving up, Alan repeatedly tried to get into the army both at Winnipeg and later Toronto and again was refused because of his age.
When finally of age, Babe had better luck with the air force. At Winnipeg he got accepted into the Royal Flying Corps as a pilot in training and sent off to Toronto to "get his wings".
He'd take training along the water front in the western part of the city at an area called Long Branch, which would no doubt have him flying over lake Ontario regularly. After only 3 hours of in-flight training he did his first solo flight. After just 47 hrs of further training, he was awarded his wings.
He'd apparently done little other than grunt work. Like the grooming of horses and shoveling their you know what before someone got the wiser and sent him back home because of his age.
When only 15, the Great War was declared, and somehow his age was detected and he was sent home. But not giving up, Alan repeatedly tried to get into the army both at Winnipeg and later Toronto and again was refused because of his age.
When finally of age, Babe had better luck with the air force. At Winnipeg he got accepted into the Royal Flying Corps as a pilot in training and sent off to Toronto to "get his wings".
He'd take training along the water front in the western part of the city at an area called Long Branch, which would no doubt have him flying over lake Ontario regularly. After only 3 hours of in-flight training he did his first solo flight. After just 47 hrs of further training, he was awarded his wings.
On 20 August 1917 Alan sailed from Halifax aboard the CPR's liner Metagama, then a troop carrier, and off to London.
There "Babe" would get more training and soon flying night patrols with the 57th Squadron as part of the home defense. He'd by then probably replaced his nickname and would be properly referred to as 2nd Lt Alan McLeod.
There "Babe" would get more training and soon flying night patrols with the 57th Squadron as part of the home defense. He'd by then probably replaced his nickname and would be properly referred to as 2nd Lt Alan McLeod.
Ir is pretty hard to see, but in this image it appears that Alan is wearing his rank of a 2nd Lt. He is certainly wearing an officer's Sam Brown belt, and has a officer's swagger stick in hand.
By late August of 1917, Alan had been shipped off to France and was then flying with the 82nd Squadron. Within the next several months 2nd Lt Alan McLeod had shot down an enemy Fokker and an aerial observation balloon and had been awarded several Mentions in Dispatch for his heroism. (MID's) Each is an actual bravery award.
By late August of 1917, Alan had been shipped off to France and was then flying with the 82nd Squadron. Within the next several months 2nd Lt Alan McLeod had shot down an enemy Fokker and an aerial observation balloon and had been awarded several Mentions in Dispatch for his heroism. (MID's) Each is an actual bravery award.
In this partial map of France you can see the English Channel to the left, at bottom slightly to right of center is Amiens, often mentioned in past blogs, and to the right about midway up is a place called Albert. The later being about 200 km from the Channel and about 25 km from Amiens.
It would be here that this Canadian, flying with the Royal Flying Corps, would enter the history books forever!
On Wednesday, 27 March 1918 the "Babe" and his observer shot down an German try-plane. Then another came along, and they shot it down Then 7 others gave chase and they shot down another three. But then enemy lead found its mark. His fuel tank became engulfed in flames and he had to ditch the enemy and make a crash landing. Miraculously both he and his observer survived the day. He with five wounds. His mate with 6. And if that wasn't enough, he had to haul his fellow officer out of the flame engulfed plane.
His partner was awarded the Military Cross. And Allan, recommended for the Distinguished Service Order, had the recommendation upgraded to the very Victoria Cross that King George V pinned on his chest at Buckingham Palace on 4 September 1918.
Here's what the London Gazette had to say about the Babe...
It would be here that this Canadian, flying with the Royal Flying Corps, would enter the history books forever!
On Wednesday, 27 March 1918 the "Babe" and his observer shot down an German try-plane. Then another came along, and they shot it down Then 7 others gave chase and they shot down another three. But then enemy lead found its mark. His fuel tank became engulfed in flames and he had to ditch the enemy and make a crash landing. Miraculously both he and his observer survived the day. He with five wounds. His mate with 6. And if that wasn't enough, he had to haul his fellow officer out of the flame engulfed plane.
His partner was awarded the Military Cross. And Allan, recommended for the Distinguished Service Order, had the recommendation upgraded to the very Victoria Cross that King George V pinned on his chest at Buckingham Palace on 4 September 1918.
Here's what the London Gazette had to say about the Babe...
2nd Lt Alan McLeod's Victoria Cross date of action makes him the youngest VC recipient in the Royal Air Corps, and the youngest in Canada, if you do not factor in Newfoundland.
Up until 1949 it was still a colony of Britain. But Alan was about 5 months older than Newfoundland's famous Sgt Thomas Ricketts of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who is believed to be the youngest Army VC recipient in the world at about age 17 1/2.
Due to Alan's injuries his father, a doctor by profession, traveled to England to be at his side. Shortly after the investiture he brought the young hero back to Canada. But it could not have been a worse time. The Spanish Influenza was plaguing the country and many parts of the world.
Because of his weakened system it soon attacked him, and sadly within short order, just days before the Armistice that ended the bloody war was signed, this hero passed away at Stonewall were he rests to this day.
Up until 1949 it was still a colony of Britain. But Alan was about 5 months older than Newfoundland's famous Sgt Thomas Ricketts of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who is believed to be the youngest Army VC recipient in the world at about age 17 1/2.
Due to Alan's injuries his father, a doctor by profession, traveled to England to be at his side. Shortly after the investiture he brought the young hero back to Canada. But it could not have been a worse time. The Spanish Influenza was plaguing the country and many parts of the world.
Because of his weakened system it soon attacked him, and sadly within short order, just days before the Armistice that ended the bloody war was signed, this hero passed away at Stonewall were he rests to this day.
This is the original family marker in Stonewall for Alan and his parents. Note the engraved air force crest and also the Victoria Cross. He is being identified as a Lt. but records suggest he died while still holding the rank of a 2nd Lt.
There have been many memorials erected in Honour of Alan McLeod including the above sign in his hometown. He has been inducted in the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame, a RCAF hangar at CFB Borden, one of only 8 still remaining from WWl is dedicated in his name, and Air Force Annex also at Borden named in his honour and the 1st Canadian Air Division Head Quarters honours Alan's bravery.
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron #301 carries his name and a bust to this famous Canadian has been erected at his old high school in Stonewall.
And last month Alan received yet another honour.
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron #301 carries his name and a bust to this famous Canadian has been erected at his old high school in Stonewall.
And last month Alan received yet another honour.
Back at Alan's grave site this beautiful memorial is about to unveiled by retired Brig. General David Kettle, on the left and Alan Adams on the right.
General Kettle is the serving Secretary General of the Canadian Agency of Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Ottawa and Mr Adams is a nephew of Alan McLeod's. The plaque beside the grave marker tells the story of Allan's heroism, first in French and then English.
see you with another update on Sunday...
Bart
see you with another update on Sunday...
Bart
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