WA WWII Prisoner of War survivor Arthur Leggett to be honoured with public commemoration

Arthur Leggett’s family have accepted the State Government’s offer of a public commemoration of his life.

A spokesperson told The West Australian the family was “most appreciative of the kind offer of a State commemoration for our father in recognition of his tireless advocacy for fellow veterans”.

It is understood details are now being worked out between the State Government, the Australian Defence Force and Mr Leggett’s family.

Mr Leggett, who died on Sunday aged 106, was WA’s oldest WWII prisoner of war survivor, and had been a passionate advocate for veterans and educating new generations about the horrors of war.

In his first speech on Parliament’s return on Tuesday, Premier Roger Cook started by acknowledging Mr Leggett’s death

“Arthur’s courage and sacrifice would never be forgotten his fierce advocacy for his fellow veterans will be remembered for generations to come, and I offer my sincere condolences to his family,” he said.

It is understood Veterans’ Minister Paul Papalia will lead a formal condolence motion to the Parliament on Wednesday.

In a statement online, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute late on Monday, describing him as a powerful voice for veterans.

“Keenly aware of our free society’s debt to those who had paid the price for it, Mr Leggett fought every bit as tirelessly for the memory of the fallen as he did for the rights of those made it home,” Mr Albanese said.

“Over the decades, he took the light of hope that had somehow stayed aglow within him during those brutal years of captivity and turned it into a mighty flame. May it always burn.”