Leonard Joseph O'Donnell
Private
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
European Tour of Duty
Hours of instruction behind the wheel and a great many kilometers spent on the roadways of England began molding the youthful Canadian Private, Leonard O’Donnell, into the type of experienced driver the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps desired. Volunteering at 19, it was unlikely the former printer ever felt he would have found his way into driving trucks for a living, but with the 86th Bridge Company, this became his primary focus, passing his driving exams without incident. His superiors recognized his coolness in the driver’s seat, and he was therefore often lent out to various Headquarter units, providing his essential services in transporting material or soldiers in the olive-drab colored vehicles of the army.
Transferring to the active front in Europe in August 1944 proved a wakeup call for Leonard, not just in terms of driving on the other side of the road, but in the risk posed by artillery and mines which every driver inevitably faced. His base unit of the 86th Bridge Company bore loads of material to the front and frequently had close calls when coming within range of the German big guns (1). No matter the threat of enemy aircraft or more commonly other exhausted drivers, the brown-eyed Canadian kept his tires on the path and managed to navigate through the often dangerous and overcrowded roads unscathed. His service with the RCASC taking him through France, Germany, and most notably into Holland where all Canadians were greeted by a joyous population (2). The dark featured Torontonian, having his heart ensnared by a local Dutch girl, Greertje Vandenberg, who he courted and eventually convinced to return to Canada with him, where they were married.
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Dark Days in Korea
The rice patties and Quonset hut medical camp in Tockchong seemed a world away from the well-organized lowlands of the Netherlands or even the most rural stretches of Ontario (3). Yet for Leonard the task of driving remained the same, though be it on rudimentary roads with the exception of those carved out by UN forces. The 28-year old veteran driver had already seen a war but eagerly volunteered for Korea, perhaps bored after driving the lengths of Ontario from Niagara-On-the-Lake to North Bay. The RCASC eagerly placing him in the 25th Field Dressing Station, who he began driving truck for as soon as he landed in Korea in May 1953.
The small fleet of vehicles ensured the medical camp remained operational, providing it’s critical services to the wounded who continued to stream in from the battles along the 38th parallel. For several months war raged on, with casualties streaming in, the armistice in July finally silencing the guns and reducing the cases of wounded. Leonard again had survived another war, playing a key role in the upkeep of the critical facility (3). Greertje, who was awaiting news along with the other military wives at Camp Borden, was undeniably happy to hear of the armistice and the promised eventual safe return of her husband (1). Though it was over, he still had a tour to complete, continuing to drive truck as Canadian forces remained in country to support the fragile peace. |
Long hours working in the rolling hills of Korea were rewarded with a R&R pass to Japan, which the senior driver excitingly took advantage of. Yet following his return to Korea that should have been joyful after such a vacation, a noticeable cloud of depression and regret hungover him. Something that had occurred well on leave created a great anxiety, though he wouldn’t speak of it to even his friends in the formation. His mood changed and he began not eating at all. Tragically, the 5’7” frame of the veteran would be found unconscious by the exhaust of a running jeep on November 4th, 1953. His fellow drivers attempted to come to his aid, but it was no use, he had passed.
The commanding officer had his body collected by the 293rd Grave Company of the U.S. Army and buried in Busan. Camp Borden's pastor broke the news to his beloved wife Greertje, who was heartbroken as no doubt his parents and 10 siblings were in Toronto (2). The army conducted a full investigation, finding that he had taken his own life and that there was a clear change in character which proceeded the action. The telling interviews outlined a lack of decisive action taken by anyone to seek help for the veteran at the time he needed it most, though nothing ever came of the report. Leonard became a casualty of what was a stigmatized battle at that time and perhaps could have been saved if someone had stepped in to help. He was buried with full military honors, in recognition of his long and dedicated service to the RCASC.
Sources:
(1) Barron, June. “June Barron - Veteran Stories - The Memory Project.” Home - The Memory Project, Historica Canada, www.thememoryproject.com/stories/3012:june-barron/.
(2) Memorial Saturday For PTE L. O'Donnell, The Toronto Daily Star (1953, November 11th)
(3) Work Responsibility With the the 86th Bridging Company, Library and Archives of Canada, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/5876
(1) Barron, June. “June Barron - Veteran Stories - The Memory Project.” Home - The Memory Project, Historica Canada, www.thememoryproject.com/stories/3012:june-barron/.
(2) Memorial Saturday For PTE L. O'Donnell, The Toronto Daily Star (1953, November 11th)
(3) Work Responsibility With the the 86th Bridging Company, Library and Archives of Canada, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/5876