Arthur Leggett: State commemoration to be held for WWII prisoner of war, national treasure

WA’s oldest surviving World War II prisoner of war will be honoured in a State commemoration on May 10.

Premier Roger Cook has announced a State memorial and procession through the city for Mr Leggett, who died on April 6, aged 106.

“This is a gift from Arthur Leggett’s family to the State as they share a very personal moment of grief,” Mr 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.

“Arthur Leggett showed extraordinary strength in the face of unimaginable horror.

“He was also a staunch advocate for his fellow veterans, making sure their sacrifices would be remembered for generations to come.”

Mr Leggett was born on September 8, 1918 and fought in the second World War.

He was trained as a signaller, responsible for crucial communications between companies and battalion headquarters.

He served in the Middle East, fighting in Libya, Greece, and Crete, enduring the punishing extremes of desert warfare, but never wavering in his duties.

In 1941, at the age of 22, Mr Leggett was captured following the Battle for Crete and transported by ship to Germany where he was imprisoned alongside other Allied soldiers in a German prisoner of war camp.

He was then marched across 800km of mountainous terrain without food or water as the nazis attempted to keep the POWs ahead of the 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 ceremony in May last year.

Planning for the commemoration is now underway after Mr Leggett’s family accepted the Cook Government’s offer of a State memorial this week.

There will be a military-led procession from the Parliament House precinct, moving down St Georges Terrace, before concluding at St George’s Cathedral.

Mr Leggett spent much of his time in his later years with students at Mt Lawley Senior High School, and in a fitting tribute, the school’s choir will be involved in the State service.

“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,” Mr Cook said.

“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.

“As we reflect on Mr Leggett’s incredible life, we are reminded of the true cost of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who served.”

Mr Leggett is survived by his two daughters, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.