A chance encounter with Mick LeBoldus and his wife Barb led to a discussion about Mick’s four relatives from Vibank who served in WW II. Of the four boys, three served in the RCAF and were killed.
The boys' Mom served as the 1955 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, representing all the Canadian Mom’s who had lost children during WW II.
She was terrified of flying but flew to Ottawa to represent all the grieving Moms. She laid this wreathe at the War Memorial in Ottawa.
The family of the Leboldus boys has done an excellent job of keeping their memory alive.
The following was sent to me by Will Chabun of the Regina (Gomme) Chapter of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. It is an excellent summary of events and the individuals.
The Personal Side
Researching lives lost in WW II is often simple facts. The ‘emotion’ usually has to be implied. In the case of the Leboldus boys there are two items that help understand who they were and the pain and duress individuals felt over the loss of the three boys.
This letter is from the Dad, John, to the DND and written just seven weeks before the third son, Martin was KIA on a raid on Leipzig, Feb, 19/20, 1944. The letter drips of despair. There is no answer for his challenge. The reader feels the father’s sadness and pain.
This second letter – and there are more at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial site – is to a ‘lady friend’ of Sergeant John Leboldus. One assumes she was sent information that John was Missing because she was listed as a ‘Family Contact. They may have been engaged.
One can only imagine that Miss White and John had planned a life together – and that the dream was now gone forever.
Flight Engineer Martin Leboldus’ ‘Hallie Bag’ Bomber named “Medicine Hat”
Sergeant Martin B. Leboldus, R/61333 was the Flight Engineer aboard this RCAF 419 Squadron Halifax II, s/n JD114, Code VR-V named ‘Medicine Hat’ that was lost without a trace while on a bombing run to Leipzig on February 19/20, 1944. After take-off the aircraft was never heard from again. All on board were presumed killed.
The Halifax Mark II was an old aircraft. Many versions had been built since. The Bomber would have had new Hercules radial engines installed by ground crew men like Bill Waud of Moose Jaw or Ben Smart of Parkbeg but otherwise, it was a rickety old bird.
Sergeant Martin Benedict Leboldus was born February 10, 1921 in Vibank and enlisted in Regina, May 1, 1940. (Lower case ‘b’ based on documents)
Denouement
Like his relative Martin, Mick LeBoldus also served in 419 Squadron, RCAF.
He retired as a Fighter Pilot and soon after became Director for Ground Based Training and Operations at NFTC Military Aviation Training in Moose Jaw. Mick is now fully retired.
