• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

August 6th, 1914 (Montreal/Quebec, Canada)

Date of death:

June 11th, 1944 (France)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Ryes
Plot: II. Row: D. Grave: 3.

Service number:

D/131465

Nationality:

Canadian

Joseph Marcel André Leclaire was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, into a French-speaking Roman Catholic family. He was the sixth child in a household of two brothers and four sisters, raised in modest circumstances that he later described as “shabby.” His parents, Alfred and Elodie Leclaire, resided at 6550 Christophe Colomb Street in Montreal, and remained his next of kin throughout his military service. Alfred worked as a traveler, while Elodie maintained the family home.

Before enlisting, Leclaire built a stable civilian career as an electrician, eventually rising to the position of foreman at the Chrysler Corporation’s automotive factory in Windsor, Ontario. He had three years of experience in this role and earned a weekly wage of $60. His occupational history also included work as a motor mechanic and mechanical draughtsman, and he had completed specialized training in electrical correspondence and mechanical drafting. He was ambitious, mechanically adept, and fluent in both English and French, with hobbies that included photography, radio, engines, and winter sports like skating and skiing.

Leclaire enlisted in the Canadian Army on January 18, 1943, at the age of 28, joining the Canadian Armoured Corps (C.A.C.). He was assigned regimental number D-131465 and began his training at #43 C.A.B. T.C. in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Over the course of his service, he qualified in several military specialties, including Driver Mechanic (both wheeled and tracked vehicles) and Bow Gunner. His performance evaluations noted a good attitude, stable disposition, and strong mechanical knowledge, though he expressed disappointment at not being able to fully apply his civilian expertise in military service.

Leclaire remained single throughout his life and had no children or dependents. He was insured through London Life Insurance Company and made arrangements for premium payments during his service. In his last will and testament, signed on January 19, 1943, he left all his estate—both real and personal—to his father, Alfred Leclaire, and named an executor to carry out his wishes.

After completing training in Canada and the United Kingdom, Leclaire was posted to the 6th Armoured Regiment of the Canadian Armoured Corps. On June 11, 1944, during heavy fighting in Normandy, France, he was officially presumed killed in action, having previously been reported missing.

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