225 www.on.legion.ca LEONARD, Thomas George Thomas was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on May 14, 1920. Thomas grew up on a farm in Sexsmith, Alberta where he met his future wife, Irene. Tom enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force on November 25, 1940. He transferred to aircrew in 1942, training as Navigator/BombAimer at No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School at RCAF Station in Jarvis, Ontario under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Upon completion of training, he shipped overseas to the United Kingdom during a period of intense bombing on the part of Bomber Command. He arrived in the UK on May 26, 1943 and immediately undertook conversion training on Wellington bombers. Once his training was complete, Tom was posted to No. 8 Squadron RAF in Aden, Middle East. His squadron was responsible for covering the eastern portion of the Indian Ocean where he saw action from November 1943 to January 1945. In March 1945, Pilot Officer Leonard was discharged from the RCAF, and Tom returned home to become an electrician. He later settled in Barrie, Ontario where he was a member of 441 (Huronia) Wing of the RCAFAssociation, among several other groups and associations. Tom passed away on December 5, 2020. He was 100 years old. LESPERANCE, Felix Felix was born on January 5, 1893, in Perkinsfield, Ontario. He was drafted into service in Toronto, on November 11, 1917, at the age of 25 years. He listed his occupation as a farmer and that he was single. He served with the 2nd Depot Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment while in Canada. Upon reaching England on April 19, 1918, he was posted to Reserve Battalion’s where he continued his training. He was described as very French so as a result he eventually was transferred to the 22nd Bn in France on August 29, 1918. During his time with the Bn, Felix was involved in the “last 100 Days”, namely in the Second Battle of the Somme, Battle of the Canal du Nord, Battle of Cambrai, Battle of the Selle and Battle of the Grande Honnelle. After his discharge on April 19, 1919, he returned to Perkinsfield where he worked on the family farm. Felix eventually married Clerce Quesnelle (1903-1962) having fourteen children together. Felix passed away at the age of 84 on August 6, 1977 and is buried in St. Patrick’s cemetery in Perkinsfield, Ontario. LEVEDAG, Peter Richard Peter was born inYokohama, Japan on October 6, 1939. He enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force on September 19, 1958 and trained as a navigator. Upon completion of training in 1960, he was posted to 414 All Weather Fighter Squadron at RCAF Station North Bay, Ontario. The next four years were spent in active air defence operations flying the CF-100 Canuck and the CF-101 Voodoo. This was during an intense period of the Cold War, which included the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following a year (1965) at DEW LINE Station FOX MAIN, Peter completed the US Air Force Electronic Warfare (EW) Course and returned to fly as an EW officer with 414 Squadron in Ottawa. In 1972, Peter was posted to NORAD Headquarters in Colorado Springs, USA as an exercise Project Officer for the large scale NORAD defence exercises SNOWTIME and VIGILANT OVERVIEW. His service also took him to Goose Bay and Val D’Or. On his return to Canada, Peter did a tour at National Defence Headquarters in Air Operations and Training. Following language training, Peter did a stint at the Ottawa Recruiting Unit and then at the Directorate of Foreign Liaison where he retired in 1985 after 26 years of service. Peter is currently an active member of the RCAF Association with RCAF 441 (Huronia) Wing in Barrie, Ontario and is a 15-year member of The Royal Canadian Legion Barrie Branch 147. We Will Remember Them Ontario Command
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