State Funeral honours veteran of WWII
The City of Perth stood still on the morning of Saturday May 10, to honour a fallen hero who, while sadly gone, will never be forgotten.
CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers form a Bearer Party outside St George’s Cathedral in Perth carry Arthur Leggett’s casket inside for his State Funeral. From left, WO1 Ian Hallt, WO1 Brad Foster and WO1 Bruce Williams. Story by Captain Alasdair Dolan. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.
Arthur Leggett OAM, Western Australia’s last surviving World War II prisoner of war, was laid to rest with a moving State Funeral after he passed away on April 6, aged 106.
The touching service at St George’s Cathedral began with a full military procession down the city’s main terrace led by a riderless horse, symbolising a fallen soldier – marking WA’s first military State Funeral in more than six decades.
The honour of accompanying Mr Leggett’s casket fell to the soldiers of the 13th Brigade, with two full guards, a Bearer Party, Gun Tractor and Carriage all moving to the solemn beat of the Army Band – Perth.
CAPTION: Australian Army Band musicians march through Perth’s street en route to St George’s Cathedral as part of the State Funeral service for Arthur Leggett.
Current serving and former Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) from across 13th Brigade’s units, all of whom had close connections with Mr Leggett, formed the Bearer Party commanded by Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Pete Firns, RSM of the 11th/28th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment.
WO1 Firns said the significance of such a responsibility was not lost on members of the Bearer Party.
“To be a casket bearer for a man like Arthur Leggett is an incredible honour,” he said.
“It’s a significant act of respect – a final duty that we can perform for someone who gave so much across his entire life for our country.
“This funeral was more than a ceremonial duty – it was a reflection of our shared respect for Arthur and his family, and a symbol of our commitment to service, unity and tradition.”
WO1 Firns also paid tribute to the impeccable precision displayed by the soldiers who had the privilege of making up the guard.
“Their professionalism and unwavering dedication made it a suitably dignified and memorable event, one I am sure most of us will never forget,” WO1 Firns said.
Mr Leggett first enlisted for military service in 1936 as part of the newly raised Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia.
Then, on the outbreak of WWII, he joined the 2nd/11th Battalion, 6th Division, fighting in Libya, Greece and Crete.
CAPTION: Soldiers of the Bearer Party place Arthur Leggett’s casket inside St George’s Cathedral in Perth for the State Funeral.
Captured during the Battle of Crete at just 22 years old, Mr Leggett endured nearly four years as a prisoner of war, surviving the infamous 900km Lamsdorf Death March.
Mr Leggett continued his service to Australian veterans as the President of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association WA for 29 years.
Mr Leggett was laid to rest surrounded by family, friends and dignitaries including the Governor of Western Australia, Christopher Dawson, and Premier Roger Cook.
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, who grew up in WA, represented Army as the service’s Chief Mourner.
CAPTION: Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Premier Roger Cook, Governor of WA Christopher Dawson and Darrilyn Dawson, and Brigadier David Thompson await the funeral procession.
“I think it’s a great credit to the state of Western Australia, and the Premier and Governor for really bringing the community together to recognise one of our own,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.
“It’s a great privilege for me as a West Australian and the Chief of Army to be here and to be part of our history, and to recognise the service and sacrifice that made our nation and our state what it is today.”
Arthur Leggett is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
CAPTION: Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart presents the Australian National Flag to Arthur Leggett’s family during the State Funeral at St George’s Cathedral in Perth, WA.
.
.
.
.
