Military service
Burial/memorial information
Baptized Joseph-Philippe-Roméo-Léopold Delisle. Son of Philippe Delisle and Hectorine Larose, of Montréal, Québec. He stated being born in 1892 when he enlisted.
Léopold Delisle shown on many occasions that he had issues with authority. After two failed enrolments, possibly because of desertion, he joined the 22nd Battalion on 22 April 1915 and sailed overseas one month later. He soon faced disciplinary measures due to several infractions: drunkenness, absences, insubordination, striking a non-commission officer; which earned him one year of forced labor. On 28 March 1918, the 22nd Battalion was rushed to the front lines to help repulse a German offensive. Léopold disappeared and was declared absent the next day. He was arrested one week later. He was trialed before a court martial for desertion in front of the enemy, was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was executed on 21 May 1918.
On December 11, 2001, the Canadian government apologized to the 23 families who lost a relative executed for desertion in the First World War. The British government erected a monument near Alrewas, Lichfield, The Shot at Dawn Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to honor the memory of executed soldiers, including Canadians.
British War Medal
Digital gallery of Private Léopold Delisle
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Statement by Hon. Ronald Duhamel (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie), Lib.) about the 23 soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who ¿were lawfully executed for military offences such as desertion and, in one case, cowardice¿ announcing that ¿the names of these 23 volunteers will be entered into The First World War Book of Remembrance along with those of their colleagues. Adding the names of these citizen soldiers to the pages of this sacred book, which lies in the Memorial Chamber not far from here, will be a fair and just testament to their service, their sacrifice and our gratitude forevermore.¿ Part 1
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Statement by Hon. Ronald Duhamel (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie), Lib.) Part 2. Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Statement by Mr. Roy Bailey (Souris-Moose Mountain, Canadian Alliance). Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Statement by Mr. Louis Plamondon (Bas-Richelieu-Nicolet-Bécancour, BQ) Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Statement by Mr. Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Musquodoboit Valley-Eastern Shore, NDP) Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Statement by Mrs. Elsie Wayne (Saint John, PC/DR) Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Private Léopold Delisle is also commemorated at the Shot at Dawn Memorial, located at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, UK - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Private Léopold Delisle is also commemorated at the Shot at Dawn Memorial, located at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, UK - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Source: Library and Archives Canada. CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH REGISTERS, FIRST WORLD WAR. Surnames: Davy to Detro. Microform Sequence 27; Volume Number 31829_B016736. Reference RG150, 1992-93/314, 171. Page 551 of 1036.
Digital gallery of
Private Léopold Delisle
Image gallery
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Statement by Hon. Ronald Duhamel (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie), Lib.) about the 23 soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who ¿were lawfully executed for military offences such as desertion and, in one case, cowardice¿ announcing that ¿the names of these 23 volunteers will be entered into The First World War Book of Remembrance along with those of their colleagues. Adding the names of these citizen soldiers to the pages of this sacred book, which lies in the Memorial Chamber not far from here, will be a fair and just testament to their service, their sacrifice and our gratitude forevermore.¿ Part 1
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Statement by Hon. Ronald Duhamel (Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie), Lib.) Part 2. Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
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Statement by Mr. Roy Bailey (Souris-Moose Mountain, Canadian Alliance). Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
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Statement by Mr. Louis Plamondon (Bas-Richelieu-Nicolet-Bécancour, BQ) Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
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Statement by Mr. Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Musquodoboit Valley-Eastern Shore, NDP) Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
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Statement by Mrs. Elsie Wayne (Saint John, PC/DR) Source: CANADA. House of Commons Debates. VOLUME 137 NUMBER 129 1st SESSION 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 11, 2001
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Private Léopold Delisle is also commemorated at the Shot at Dawn Memorial, located at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, UK - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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Private Léopold Delisle is also commemorated at the Shot at Dawn Memorial, located at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, UK - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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Source: Library and Archives Canada. CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH REGISTERS, FIRST WORLD WAR. Surnames: Davy to Detro. Microform Sequence 27; Volume Number 31829_B016736. Reference RG150, 1992-93/314, 171. Page 551 of 1036.
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In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 604 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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BELLACOURT MILITARY CEMETERY Pas de Calais, France
Bellacourt is a village in the commune of Riviere, in the Departement of the Pas de Calais, 10 kilometres south-west of Arras.
Visitors should take the N25, Arras to Coullens main road, as far as Beaumetz les Loges. Take the D34 to Riviere, fork right onto the D7, still in the direction of Riviere, and then turn left to the cemetery as indicated by the CWGC sign.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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