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Australian World War II veteran and former prisoner of war Arthur Leggett will be honoured with a state funeral in Western Australia.
The former president of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association of WA and Western Australia’s oldest surviving World War II ex-prisoner of war will be remembered on 10 May with a military-led procession flanked by a gun carriage and the WA army band through WA’s Parliament House precinct before concluding at St George’s Cathedral where a state funeral service will be held.
The 106-year-old passed away earlier this year on Sunday, 6 April, surrounded by family. He was born on 8 September 1918 and was trained as a signaller, responsible for crucial communications between companies and battalion headquarters.
“This is a gift from Arthur Leggett’s family to the state as they share a very personal moment of grief,” WA Premier Roger Cook said.
“It is a fitting tribute to a man who was not only responsible for acts of personal bravery, but a man who gave so much to his community.
“The service and accompanying procession through the city will be an opportunity for Western Australians to pay their respects to a man who protected the way of life we all hold dear.
“I’m so pleased we are able to honour Arthur Leggett’s life with the send-off he deserves – which for many Western Australians will be unlike anything they have seen in their lifetime.”
Mr Leggett fought in the Second World War in the Middle East, Libya and Greece before being captured following the Battle of Crete in 1941. He was imprisoned in a German prisoner of war camp before being marched 800 kilometres across mountainous terrain without food or water as the German army attempted to keep the POWs ahead of advancing Allies.
After nearly four years of imprisonment, Mr Leggett was liberated by US forces and returned home, where he raised a loving family and selflessly dedicated the rest of his life to ensuring that the sacrifices of his fellow veterans would be remembered for generations to come.
Mr Leggett served with distinction as president of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association of WA for 29 years and was present for the Battle of Crete memorial dedication ceremony in May last year.
“Arthur Leggett was a true Western Australian hero who never missed an opportunity to pay tribute to his fellow veterans,” WA Veterans Minister Paul Papalia said.
“The state funeral service is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on Arthur’s courage in the face of war.
“Through his wisdom and stories, our younger generations will know the sacrifices of those who served to protect our way of life.
“Arthur was 106 years old, but his legacy will be enduring. I encourage our community to come along and pay their respects.”
Mr Leggett is survived by his two daughters, six grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to have known Arthur Leggett OAM,” said the Governor of Western Australia, Chris Dawson AC APM.
“Western Australia’s oldest surviving World War II ex-prisoner of war, and president of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association of WA, he dedicated his post-war life to helping ex-service people and educating children on the experiences of war.
“Despite his experiences at war, fighting in the battles of Bardia and Tobruk, then spending four years in a prisoner of war camp after being captured by the Germans during the battle of Crete in 1941, Arthur was always upbeat, keen to share a story of his experiences, and to have a laugh.
“Most significantly, Arthur spent his last 80 years after release from captivity looking after his mates and families, the ex-POW community.
“He was a true gentleman, warrior and torchbearer and will be greatly missed.”
