Leonard McMullin was born in Bradshaw, Ontario, on November 28, 1898, the only son of William Charles McMullin and Irene (nee Tiderington) McMullin, of 418 S. Vidal Street, later 466 Davis Street, Sarnia. Leonard enlisted February 4, 1916 in Sarnia with the 149th Battalion. A bachelor, Leonard listed his occupation as a labourer. He would go overseas in the spring of 1917 and became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 18th Battalion, with the rank of Private. He would be in France for just over seven months. On May 25, 1918, Leonard McMullin would lose his life while fighting in France. He was instantly killed by concussion of a German trench mortar shell. Leonard McMullin would later be officially listed as, Killed in Action. While sleeping in his funk hole in a front line trench, near Neuville Vitasse in the early morning of May 25th, 1918, he was killed by an enemy ‘fish tail’ bomb that dropped near him. In June of 1918, Leonard’s mother in Sarnia would receive the following telegram:
Ottawa, June 6th
Mrs. Irene McMullin, 466 Davis St., Sarnia, Ont.
Deeplty regret to inform you that 844831, Pte. Leonard Calvin McMullin, infantry, is officially reported killed in action on May 25th, 1918. Director of Records
Not long after learning of the news of her son’s death, Mrs. Irene McMullin wrote the following poem:
Somewhere in France
“Somewhere in France,” so weary, so faithful! “Innoncence,” dreaming whilst shells scream overhead;
Dreaming of Home and the Land of the Maple; Knapsack his pillow, the clay for his bed.
“Somewhere” in No Man’s Land! God grant that mother, Never shall dream what we’re bibben to do!
Stake we our life’s blood, but leave for no other. Strenuous deeds which a soldier must do!
“Somewhere,” a mother so lonely is waiting, Craving good tidings from over the sea;
Praying, “O God, should it be Thy good pleasure, Send my darling in safety to me.”
“Somewhere,” in Heaven, past troubles and tears, For a voice, “Come, thou blessed,” in mercy he heard,
‘Neath his cross, khaki clad, fitting garb for our heroes, His dearly loved form now lies undisturbed.
“Somewhere in France” his life work has ended, As o’er parapets gleam the first rays of sun.
‘Twixt boyhood and man, not a score yet of summers! Now peace, grand, eternal – a living “Well done.”
Tho’ poppies may fade, or the lark’s wing grow weary, Mother love – oh so boundless – no living, no end!
Sleep well son! Dear Heart, we ne’er shall forget thee, For thy life thou hast given, for country and friends.
Nineteen-year old Leonard McMullin is buried in Wailly Orchard Cemetery, France, Grave II.F.15. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as L.C. McMullen.
At the end of the Great War, debates ensued in Sarnia as to how the city would pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Several suggestions for some form of memorial were discussed: the planting of oak trees with inscribed metal plates of the fallen; building some sort of Community memorial building; and erecting some form of a monument. In late November of 1918, Leonard’s mother Irene McMullin, wrote a letter to the Canadian (Sarnia) Observer expressing her preference. Her heartfelt letter is included in this project, in “The Story Behind the Sarnia Cenotaph” section.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G