Norman Leckie was born in Sarnia, on May 7, 1889, the son of Robert Leckie (a farmer from Saskatchewan) and Margaret (nee McVicar) Leckie, both originally of Scotland. His siblings included Elymer Robert (born 1881); Christie Ann (born 1883); and Sarah Ethel (born 1886). The Leckie family moved to Sarnia Township at some point, and would later move to Saskatchewan where, in 1911, Norman was living in Battleford, Saskatchewan with his brother Elymer (and his wife and their daughter). Two years later, while living in Unity, Saskatchewan with his parents, Norman enlisted on December 13, 1915 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with the 65th Battalion. A bachelor, Norman listed his occupation as farmer. He was later transferred, becoming a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 54th Battalion, with the rank of Private.
Sometime in the latter half of 1917, while fighting in France, Norman was wounded at the Somme, France. He was sent home to Canada and placed in the Davisville Military Hospital in Toronto. He would lay there for over a year with an open wound in the hip after undergoing several operations. On October 10, 1918 at 4:20 p.m., while still in Davisville Hospital, Norman Leckie would lose his life, the tragic result of that injury which was over a year old. The poison and infection from the German shell that had lacerated his hip could not be stemmed by medical operations. Norman Leckie’s Circumstances of Casualty was recorded as, Gun shot W left buttock and thigh. Admitted to hospital on May 25th, 1917, operated on for sequestrum. Three other operations for the same condition.
Norman’s body was returned to the home of his sister, a Mrs. Levi Fair who lived on the 2nd Line in Sarnia township. His funeral with full Military Honours took place on October 13, 1918. It was one of the largest military funerals seen in the City at that time. It began with a very solemn service at the deceased sisters’ house, with his comrades as pallbearers and members of the Great War Veteran’s Association as guard of honour. The cortege then departed for the deceased’s final resting place. Accompanying the hearse in the full military funeral parade were comrades, infantry veterans, relatives, family members and friends, who travelled in a procession of automobiles and buggies, in a line over half a mile in length. The parade made its way into Sarnia, down Mitton, Davis, and Christina Streets to Exmouth Street on its way to Lakeview Cemetery. At the cemetery, the funeral party was met by a military band, firing party and wreath bearers. After the burial, a service was read by Rev. Morrison and the Band played “Nearer My God to Thee”. The firing party then took its place over the grave and fired three volleys, which was followed by the playing of the “Last Post” by the band. When the military parade left, the parents and relatives remained to view for the last time on earth their son and brother Norman Leckie who paid the supreme sacrifice. One month after Norman Leckie’s death, the Armistice agreement was signed, ending the Great War. Twenty-nine year old Norman Leckie is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia, Ontario.
SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G