Alan Arnett McLeod VC (20 April 1899 – 6 November 1918) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Details
He was 18 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in No. 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 27 March 1918 over Albert, France, Second Lieutenant McLeod, with his observer Arthur Hammond, in an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 destroyed an enemy triplane and were immediately attacked by eight more, three of which they brought down, but the petrol tank of the bomber was hit. The machine burst into flames and both pilot and observer were badly wounded. McLeod, by side slipping steeply, tried to keep the flames away from his observer, and when the machine finally crashed in No Man's Land, the young pilot, not minding his own injuries, dragged his comrade from the burning wreckage and under heavy fire carried him to comparative safety, before collapsing from exhaustion. Hammond lost a leg but was awarded a bar for his Military Cross. McLeod was recommended for a Distinguished Service Order but received the Victoria Cross. He returned to Canada to recuperate but died from the Spanish Influenza shortly thereafter.
Tribute
Dr. David Christie, of Westminster Church, Winnipeg, wrote a moving tribute which appeared in the Manitoba Free Press on the evening of November 7, the day after his death.
- "Alan McLeod was the finest flower of chivalry. The old days of knighthood are over, but for the very fairest blossoms of the spirit of knighthood the world has had to wait till the 20th Century. It was these dauntless boys who have saved civilization. The heroism of the Crusades pales before the incredible and quiet courage of such boys who gave us a new interpretation of Calvary. I saw Alan within a few hours of his death. He faced the last enemy with the same joyous confidence with which he started on what he called the very happiest part of his life. For our children's children names like Alan McLeod's will be written in letters of splendour in the annals of Canada."
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Air VCs (P G Cooksley, 1999)
- ForValour
External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
- Alan McLeod
- ALAN ARNETT MCLEOD (personal details, photographs, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine Article on Alan McLeod
- Find-A-Grave profile for Alan Arnett McLeod
- McLeod's Medals at the Canadian War Meseum
