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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Leclair

In memory of:

Rifleman John Leclair

July 8, 1944

Military Service

Service Number:

H/40939

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Winnipeg Rifles

Citation(s):

1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp, War Medal 1939-45. British Empire Medal and Ribbon, (The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service). Citation: Canada Gazette, Extra Issue, No. 1, Volume 77 dated 1 January 43. London Gazette No. 35842 dated 1 January 43. H40939 A/Cpl LeClair, J.M. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, (3 C.D.I.R.U.) (3rd Canadian Division Infantry Reinforcement Unit) The Senior Officer, C.M.H.Q. (Canadian Military Headquarters) is pleased to commend the distinguished conduct of this N.C.O. (Non-Commissioned Officer) under the following conditions: On 16 Jul 42, during grenade throwing practice, Cpl. LeClair was acting as Coach when a man under instruction threw a grenade which, failing to clear the parapet, bounded back into the bay. The thrower made no attempt to move from his position, although the grenade was equipped with a very short time fuse. Cpl LeClair, with great coolness and presence of mind, pulled his companion into an adjoining trench just as the grenade exploded, undoubtedly saving him from serious injury or death. The conduct of this N.C.O. is worthy of the best traditions of the Service, and this act of distinguished conduct will be recorded on his Conduct Sheet in accordance with K.R. (Can).158(b)(xvi).

Honours and Awards:

British Empire Medal

Additional Information

Son of Mrs. Marie LeClair, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Spouse of Mrs. Vi Levesque, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Brother of Frank LeClair, Royal Canadian Engineers, Royal Winnipeg Rifles.

Commemorated on Page 362 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

XXVIII. G. 5.

Location:

This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– Rifleman John Leclair is also commemorated on the Memorial at Putot-en-Bessin, FR … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Rifleman John Leclair is also commemorated on the Memorial at Putot-en-Bessin, FR … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022
  • Memorial– This monument is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and to all other Canadian combatants who played a part in the Liberation of Putot-en-Bessin on 7 June 1944. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – This monument is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and to all other Canadian combatants who played a part in the Liberation of Putot-en-Bessin on 7 June 1944. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022.
  • Photo of John LeClair– H40939 A/Cpl LeClair, J.M. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, (3 C.I.D.R.U.) (3rd Canadian Infantry Division Reinforcement Unit) The Senior Officer C.M.H.Q. (Canadian Military Headquarters) is pleased to recommend this non-commissioned officer for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the following reasons: On July 16, 1942, during a grenade-throwing exercise, Cpl LeClair was the trainer when a man received the order to throw a grenade that bounced off the parapet and fell into the trench. The man did not leave his position though the grenade had a very fast detonator. Cpl LeClair, acting calmly and with much presence of mind, pulled his comrade into a neighbouring trench, just as the grenade exploded, thereby saving him from serious injury or death. The conduct of this non-commissioned officer is worthy of the finest traditions of service, and this act of bravery will be entered in his service record, in accordance with K.R. (Can).158(b)(xvi).

    Details

    Photo of John LeClair
    Photo of John LeClair – H40939 A/Cpl LeClair, J.M. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, (3 C.I.D.R.U.) (3rd Canadian Infantry Division Reinforcement Unit) The Senior Officer C.M.H.Q. (Canadian Military Headquarters) is pleased to recommend this non-commissioned officer for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the following reasons: On July 16, 1942, during a grenade-throwing exercise, Cpl LeClair was the trainer when a man received the order to throw a grenade that bounced off the parapet and fell into the trench. The man did not leave his position though the grenade had a very fast detonator. Cpl LeClair, acting calmly and with much presence of mind, pulled his comrade into a neighbouring trench, just as the grenade exploded, thereby saving him from serious injury or death. The conduct of this non-commissioned officer is worthy of the finest traditions of service, and this act of bravery will be entered in his service record, in accordance with K.R. (Can).158(b)(xvi).
  • ID Card– This card was repatriated to Canada in December 2000.

    Details

    ID Card
    ID Card – This card was repatriated to Canada in December 2000.
  • Service Book– The Service Book was carried by all Canadian Soldiers. This book belonged to Rifleman LeClair and was repatriated to Canada in December 2000.

    Details

    Service Book
    Service Book – The Service Book was carried by all Canadian Soldiers. This book belonged to Rifleman LeClair and was repatriated to Canada in December 2000.
  • Pay Book– A Canadian Soldier's World War 2 paybook, belonging to Rifleman LeClair. Repatriated to Canada in December 2000.

    Details

    Pay Book
    Pay Book – A Canadian Soldier's World War 2 paybook, belonging to Rifleman LeClair. Repatriated to Canada in December 2000.
  • Equipment Book– The Clothing and Equipment Book was carried by all Canadian Soldiers in thier Service Book. This one belonged to Rifleman LeClair and was repatriated to Canada in December 2000.

    Details

    Equipment Book
    Equipment Book – The Clothing and Equipment Book was carried by all Canadian Soldiers in thier Service Book. This one belonged to Rifleman LeClair and was repatriated to Canada in December 2000.

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