Knight of the Order of Leopold II with Palm

Knight of the Order of Leopold II with Palm

Established on 24 August 1900 by King Leopold II, the Ordre de Léopold II is Belgium's third highest order of knighthood. It recognizes meritorious service to the Belgian sovereign and nation, often awarded for long service in civil or military roles. The rank of Chevalier (Knight) is a grade within the order. The addition of a palm signifies a mention in dispatches at the national level for acts of bravery or exceptional merit. The order is conferred by royal decree and can be awarded to both Belgians and foreigners.


Lieutenant Alvin Ira Clark Date of Award: August 31, 1946 Citation During the rapid advance from Normandy to Belgium, Lieutenant Clark of 4 Canadian Armoured Brigade Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was detailed to supervise a recovery section in the forward area. With a party of men and equipment including recovery tanks and heavy breakdowns, this officer proceeded with forward Royal Canadian Engineers and Provost detachments to carry out road clearance. This composite road clearing detachment, acting as advance guard, removed roadblocks and enemy vehicles, thus enabling the division to advance. The conscientious and efficient manner in which this officer supervised this work contributed in no small measure to the successful and rapid advance of the division into Belgium. In the Philippene-Bassevelde area, on the Belgium-Holland border, a number of divisional tanks became casualties on an enemy minefield. Operating under enemy shell fire and under conditions of extrRCEME difficulty, Lieutenant Clark recovered these tanks, enabling them to be repaired and returned to battle. In the area north of Ecloo, on 10 October 1944, an Observation Post tank of the 23 Canadian Field Regiment became a casualty of an enemy minefield while in a forward position. Despite the fact that this tank was under direct enemy observation and under small arms and machine gun fire, by careful reconnaissance and skilful use of equipment and personnel, this officer was able to recover this tank and return it to battle without casualties to men or equipment. Notes Canada Gazette dated 31 August 1946 and CARO/6733 dated 2 September 1946. Recommended by Lieutenant Colonel E.G. Pallister and subsequently supported by Major-General H.W. Foster, General Officer Commanding 4 Canadian Armoured Division; document with Headquarters, Canadian Forces in the Netherlands, 25 September to 6 October 1945 when signed off by Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds.
Captain Stephen John Lea, MBE Date of Award: August 31, 1946 Citation From the time that 1 Canadian Servicing Unit, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, first moved into Belgium (Courtrai) in September 1944 until the unit left for Holland in January 1945, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineer service was provided for the repair and maintenance of vehicles belonging to hundreds of units within the area. These units, during this period, were constantly moving, but due to the administrative ability and inexhaustible energy of the commanding officer, Captain Lea, no unit was ever lacking repair facilities and technical guidance. This officer inspired all who worked under his command. In directing the operations of 1 Canadian Servicing Unit in Northwest Europe, he has discharged his duty in a manner that cannot be too highly praised and his efforts greatly enhanced the prestige of the Corps under which he served. Notes Canada Gazette dated 31 August 1946 and CARO/6733 dated 2 September 1946. Recommended by Lieutenant Colonel G.W. Painter, Commander Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, First Canadian Army Troops and supported by Lieutenant Colonel William McKinlay, Assistant Director Mechanical Engineers, Canadian Forces in the Netherlands; signed off 6 October 1945 by Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds.

Lieutenant Alvin Ira Clark

Date of Award: August 31, 1946

Citation

During the rapid advance from Normandy to Belgium, Lieutenant Clark of 4 Canadian Armoured Brigade Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was detailed to supervise a recovery section in the forward area. With a party of men and equipment including recovery tanks and heavy breakdowns, this officer proceeded with forward Royal Canadian Engineers and Provost detachments to carry out road clearance. This composite road clearing detachment, acting as advance guard, removed roadblocks and enemy vehicles, thus enabling the division to advance. The conscientious and efficient manner in which this officer supervised this work contributed in no small measure to the successful and rapid advance of the division into Belgium. In the Philippene-Bassevelde area, on the Belgium-Holland border, a number of divisional tanks became casualties on an enemy minefield. Operating under enemy shell fire and under conditions of extrRCEME difficulty, Lieutenant Clark recovered these tanks, enabling them to be repaired and returned to battle. In the area north of Ecloo, on 10 October 1944, an Observation Post tank of the 23 Canadian Field Regiment became a casualty of an enemy minefield while in a forward position. Despite the fact that this tank was under direct enemy observation and under small arms and machine gun fire, by careful reconnaissance and skilful use of equipment and personnel, this officer was able to recover this tank and return it to battle without casualties to men or equipment.

Notes

Canada Gazette dated 31 August 1946 and CARO/6733 dated 2 September 1946. Recommended by Lieutenant Colonel E.G. Pallister and subsequently supported by Major-General H.W. Foster, General Officer Commanding 4 Canadian Armoured Division; document with Headquarters, Canadian Forces in the Netherlands, 25 September to 6 October 1945 when signed off by Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds.

Captain Stephen John Lea, MBE

Date of Award: August 31, 1946

Citation

From the time that 1 Canadian Servicing Unit, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, first moved into Belgium (Courtrai) in September 1944 until the unit left for Holland in January 1945, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineer service was provided for the repair and maintenance of vehicles belonging to hundreds of units within the area. These units, during this period, were constantly moving, but due to the administrative ability and inexhaustible energy of the commanding officer, Captain Lea, no unit was ever lacking repair facilities and technical guidance. This officer inspired all who worked under his command. In directing the operations of 1 Canadian Servicing Unit in Northwest Europe, he has discharged his duty in a manner that cannot be too highly praised and his efforts greatly enhanced the prestige of the Corps under which he served.

Notes

Canada Gazette dated 31 August 1946 and CARO/6733 dated 2 September 1946. Recommended by Lieutenant Colonel G.W. Painter, Commander Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, First Canadian Army Troops and supported by Lieutenant Colonel William McKinlay, Assistant Director Mechanical Engineers, Canadian Forces in the Netherlands; signed off 6 October 1945 by Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds.

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