Walter Rolland "Rocky" Leja, GM, CD (July 1, 1921 – November 22, 1992) was born in Koniówka, Poland and later emigrated to Canada. He joined the Canadian Army (The Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers) and became a bomb disposal expert. On May 17, 1963 he successfully dismantled two bombs that had been planted in mailboxes in Westmount, Quebec by the separatist organization Front de libération du Québec (FLQ).
A third bomb, found in a mailbox at the corner of Lansdowne Avenue and Westmount Avenue, exploded while Leja attempted to disarm it, blowing off most of his left arm and crushing his face and chest. He suffered brain damage, lost the ability to speak and was paralyzed on his right side. Although initial reports said Leja's chances of survival were extremely slim, he managed to live. He was awarded the George Medal in January 1964 for conspicuous courage and outstanding devotion to duty.
Jean-Denis Lamoureux, a member of the FLQ who participated in the planting of the bombs, was subsequently jailed.
In 2013, a movement was launched to have the Quebec National Assembly declare Walter Leja a hero.
References
"Bomb Explodes as Canadian Tries to Dismantle It". The New York Times. 18 May 1963. p. 3. Retrieved 13 August 2009. (Subscription required.)
"8 Held in Montreal On Bomb Charges". The New York Times. 3 June 1963. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 13 August 2009. (Subscription required.)
Chaplin-Thomas, Charmion (17 May 1963). "Sergeant-Major Leja". Canadian Military Engineers Association (CMEA). Retrieved 13 August 2009.
"Declare Walter Leja a Hero/Déclarer Walter Leja un héros". Facebook.
January 19, 2023
walter, leja, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, june, 2022, learn, when, remov. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Walter Rolland Rocky Leja GM CD July 1 1921 November 22 1992 was born in Koniowka Poland and later emigrated to Canada He joined the Canadian Army The Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers and became a bomb disposal expert On May 17 1963 he successfully dismantled two bombs that had been planted in mailboxes in Westmount Quebec by the separatist organization Front de liberation du Quebec FLQ A third bomb found in a mailbox at the corner of Lansdowne Avenue and Westmount Avenue exploded while Leja attempted to disarm it blowing off most of his left arm and crushing his face and chest He suffered brain damage lost the ability to speak and was paralyzed on his right side Although initial reports said Leja s chances of survival were extremely slim he managed to live He was awarded the George Medal in January 1964 for conspicuous courage and outstanding devotion to duty Jean Denis Lamoureux a member of the FLQ who participated in the planting of the bombs was subsequently jailed In 2013 a movement was launched to have the Quebec National Assembly declare Walter Leja a hero References Edit Bomb Explodes as Canadian Tries to Dismantle It The New York Times 18 May 1963 p 3 Retrieved 13 August 2009 Subscription required 8 Held in Montreal On Bomb Charges The New York Times 3 June 1963 pp 1 2 Retrieved 13 August 2009 Subscription required Chaplin Thomas Charmion 17 May 1963 Sergeant Major Leja Canadian Military Engineers Association CMEA Retrieved 13 August 2009 Declare Walter Leja a Hero Declarer Walter Leja un heros Facebook Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Walter Leja amp oldid 1094653745, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
