Léo Major
Sergeant Léo Major, DCM, during the Korean War, January 4, 1952. Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-193072
Léo Major was born on January 23, 1921, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the second child of Achille Major, originally from Montreal, and Amanda Sévigny, a Franco-American born in Quebec. Shortly after Léo’s birth, the family moved back to Montreal. In 1935, at the age of 14, Léo left the family home to live with his aunt and uncle. He worked for a time as a farmer and then, for a few months in 1938, on the construction site of Montreal’s Central Station.
On June 28, 1940, Léo Major reported to the recruitment office to join the ranks of the Royal 22nd Regiment. He enlisted on July 2, 1940. A few days later, learning that the Regiment de la Chaudière would soon be sent to Europe, he requested a transfer. In September 1940, he arrived in New Brunswick to train with the regiment.
On August 23, 1941, the regiment left Halifax for Europe, arriving in Greenock, Scotland, on September 2. Léo joined the Aldershot Garrison for further training. Speaking both French and English,, he completed a signals training course, which he finished in August 1942.
On February 4, 1944, Léo received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.
On June 6, 1944, Léo landed with the Regiment de la Chaudière in Bernières-sur-Mer as a scout platoon sniper. He participated in the capture of a bunker, taking a dozen German soldiers’ prisoner. Later that day, he helped capture a German half-track.
During the capture of Rots, Léo Major distinguished himself with another feat: while hiding under hay, he uncovered a German armored vehicle waiting for the Canadian troops’ arrival and destroyed it with a grenade. On June 24, Léo and four soldiers were assigned to a reconnaissance mission in enemy lines near Carpiquet. When they encountered German soldiers, a firefight ensued, killing four of the five German soldiers. The last one, wounded, threw a phosphorus grenade that struck Léo in the face. He was taken to a military field hospital, treated, but lost 80% of the vision in his left eye. Against his will, he was repatriated to England and was hospitalized until July 12. On August 31, he left England again to rejoin his unit and continued fighting, wearing an eye patch.
In October 1944, the Regiment de la Chaudière was involved in the Battle of the Scheldt. Léo participated in several operations.
In February 1945, the regiment left the Nijmegen area to capture the Rhineland. On February 21, Léo was injured in the back by an explosion that killed a chaplain and three other soldiers. He was transported to a military hospital in Belgium. Despite suffering numerous fractures and not wanting to be sent back to England, he decided to escape, even though his chest was entirely in a plaster cast. He reunited with a woman he had met while stationed in Nijmegen. After a period of convalescence in Nijmegen and many discussions with his unit, he rejoined them on March 29, 1945.
On April 8, the regiment arrived in Zutphen, Netherlands, and Léo distinguished himself again by quickly eliminating several German soldiers, snipers, and officers, leading to the surrender of German troops and the arrival of Canadian forces in the city.
A few days later, on April 13, Léo was assigned to a group of 25 men tasked with reaching the outskirts of the city of Zwolle, which was surrounded by high walls defended by the Germans. Léo and a friend, Willy Arseneault, went on a reconnaissance mission. Near the city, the Germans opened fire, and Willy was killed. Léo’s only thought was to liberate the city at all costs. For his actions, Private Léo Major wasawarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Major’s citation for the DCM indicates: « Undaunted by the death of a friend and comrade, he continued the patrol alone for 6 hours, contacting the underground and formed patrols of local Dutch civilians, with the result that by morning the enemy garrison menaced from inside and from outside, were forced to withdraw as their position became untenable. To urge them on Pte Major had the Gestapo headquarters on fire. »
In August 1945, aboard the New Amsterdam, Léo arrived in New York before returning to Montreal by train. No one was present on the platform, and no welcome awaited him when he returned to his parents’ home.
In 1950, the Korean War broke out. Léo was offered the chance to lead a sniper platoon within the Royal 22nd Regiment. He enlisted on August 15, 1950, and began training again. In May 1951, the regiment arrived in Korea, where Léo and his men were tasked with carrying out raids against the enemy and gathering intelligence.
In November 1951, Léo achieved another military feat. The Canadians were sent to a new sector, the front line along the 355 and 227 hills. Due to its strategic position, Hill 355 was of great importance. With a group of scouts, Léo went out at night and managed to surprise the Chinese behind their own lines. For three days, the Canadian forces resisted Chinese assaults, while Léo personally directed artillery fire until a temporary ceasefire agreement was reached under the United Nations. Léo Major received the D.C.M. for a second time.
On May 18, 1952, he returned to Canada, where he married Pauline de Croiselles in November. In June 1955, he returned to civilian life. He held several jobs, including as a security guard and janitor. Like many soldiers returning home, he suffered from post-traumatic stress and alcoholism. His wife supported him, and in 1990, he became permanently sober.
In 1970, the city of Zwolle held a ceremony to celebrate the liberation of the city. Léo was warmly welcomed. In 2005, he became an honorary citizen, and a park was dedicated to Willy, his late friend.
On October 12, 2008, Léo passed away at the age of 87.
Civilians in the town square after the liberation of Zwolle, Netherlands, 14 April 1945. Donald I. Grant/DND/Library and Archives Canada
Welly Arsenault’s temporary grave in Almen. Welly is now buried at Holten Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands. BAC/LAC