From the News

Sergt. George E. Leacock, 15th Battalion CEF, hears of his own death.

Toronto Star

On April 19th, 1918, the Toronto Star reported "Returned Heroes Get Royal Welcome / Wild Cheering Greets Troop Train With Veterans on Board." On the afternoon of Thursday April 18th, a G.T.R. troop train pulled into Toronto Union Station with 199 men on board, including 107 Toronto men.

An earlier train that week bringing home first Contingent men on their first visit home since 1914, had arrived early in the morning greeted only by pouring rain. The men had finally made their own way to their homes and surprised their families. Family members had not been alerted about the time of the train's arrival.

This time the train arrived as scheduled. Now the band of the 1st Depot Battalion, C.O.R., played a welcome in the waiting room. Mayor Tommy Church, always a supporter of veterans' issues, was on hand to greet them.

This type of story as recounted in the interview with Sgt. Leacock left many families wondering if a loved one declared missing would suddenly turn up.

- M. I. Pirie

Dated:

Hears of His Death.

Sergt. George E. Leacock is one of the originals of the 15th Toronto Highlanders. He had the uncanny experience of being reported dead after the battle of St. Julien, in April, 1915. He showed The Star man letters of condolence from Sir Sam Hughes, then Minister of Militia; and the late Lord Kitchener, which were sent to his son in Scotland.

An insurance policy of $100 was also paid to his sister, and the insurance company refused to take it back when it was discovered he was alive.

Leacock was gassed at St. Julien and left for dead on the field; he was picked up unconscious by a British Tommy, and sent to a hospital. When he could not be located by his regiment following this awful battle, he was reported dead. Six months later he was found in a hospital in England. Sergt. Leacock prizes highly the two letters of condolence. He had been overseas forty-four months. A sister lives in Guelph.

Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie