Retired VPD Constable Receives French Medal of Honor
Channel: Vancouver Police Department
Date: 03/02/2015

A World War II veteran and retired Vancouver Police officer has received the French Legion of Honor medal during a presentation ceremony at Vancouver Police headquarters.

Edward Clarence Leaks, 90, joins a group of distinguished veterans who have received the medal in recognition of their efforts in the liberation of France during WWII.

Retired Constable Leaks, dressed in his still pristine Canadian Army dress uniform, received the medal from Mr. Jean-Christophe Floury, Consul General of France, as family, friends and current military and police personnel looked on.

Leask was born on April 3rd, 1924, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He took leave from his job as a band saw operator at the Saskatchewan Box Factory in December of 1941, joining the Regina Rifle Regiment at age 17. Ed was deployed overseas in service to Canada, fighting for the liberation of France, and landed on the beaches of Normandy as an infantryman with allied forces on D-day, June 6th, 1944.

Ed completed his tour in 1945 and returned to his job at the box factory. In 1946, he moved to Vancouver to start a family and was employed by the Hammond Furniture Company.

On May 1st, 1951, Leask was appointed as a constable with the Vancouver Police Department and served for 28 years with consistent, outstanding performance until his retirement on April 3rd, 1979.

"Retired Constable Ed Leask has made a legacy of serving Canadians and the residents of Vancouver," says Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu. "We are very proud to have witnessed his reception of this prestigious award as he joins a distinguished group of veterans who have been recognized for their efforts in liberating France."