In Memory of
MacKAY, LEIGH, L
Gunner, F/7960211 Army Field Regt
Royal Canadian Artillery
who died 17 age
11 December 1943
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Son of John Sutherland MacKay and Myrtle Cole MacKay, of Stanley Bridge, Prince Edward Island.
Born: February 7, 1927 Kensington, Nova Scotia
Enlistment: November 28, 1941 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Erica Perry and Ken MacKay - Canadian veteran Ken MacKay, from Prince Edward Island (PEI) stands at the grave of his brother Leigh in Agira Canadian War Cemetery in Sicily, with PEI Youth Delegate Erica Perry, on Monday, November 1, 2004.
“I remeber you now”
My name is Erica Perry, the oldest of three in my family and I am from Elmsdale, PEI. In the fall of 2004. I was chosen by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), on the recommendation of Encounters With Canada (EWC), to represent my province in a pilgrimage to Italy to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Italian Campaign. In November 2003, I had been participiant of the “Canada Remembers” theme week of commemorative programming at EWC, which was sponsored by VAC. Along with 12 other youth delegates, we have travelled to from Ottawa to Italy in order to commemorate and honour the sacrifice made by so many Canadian soldiers, some sixty years ago.
As a part of this excellent opportunity, I was asked to research a Prince Edward Island soldier who died overseas in the Italian Campaign and is buried in one of the cemeteries in Italy that the pilgrimage will be visiting. I am very honoured to be here today at the grave of Gunner Leigh MacKay to well you his story, and to keep his spirit alive.
Mr. MacKay was born in Kensington PEI, in 1926, and raised in Stanley Bridge for most of his upbringing. He was the sixth born child of nine to his parents, John Sutherland MacKay, and Myrtle Coley MacKay. He grew up in the country and therefore grew into a very proud country boy at heart. When he wasn’t in school (Stanley Bridge elementary, or Kelvin High), you could find him working with his dad helping out on the farm. Leigh was a very caring, charming young lad, who had responsibilities to follow as well as orders to give. Being a middle child, Leigh had to obey his parents and older siblings, but he was also challenged to be a good leader for those younger family members who looked up to him as their role model. This forced Mr MacKay to mature rather quickly.
While living out his responsibilities within his family, Leigh also made time for friends, fun, and adventure. Along with curiosity, this adventure was part of what led him to war.
In 1943, at the age of only seventeen, Gunner Leigh MacKay enlisted for war. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery Regiment in England and in Italy. His characteristics of bravery and courage were truly inspiration coming from such a young man, but nevertheless Mr. MacKay never gave up. He always believed in himself and he knew that he was doing something wonderful for his country, his nation, his people and his family.
However after serving for our country for only a few short months, an illness that was believed to be polio overtook Mr. MacKay and on November the 12th, 1943, he passed away fighting for our freedom at the unbelievable young age of only seventeen, leaving his loved ones behind, along with his life long dreams.
I am very grateful for having given the opportunity to share my presentation with all of you today, but most importantly I am grateful for having the opportunity to share it with this fine man, Mr MacKay, Leigh’s older brother, as well as Ken’s beautiful wife, Audrey. As I began my research prior to this trip, I had a wonderful opportunity to talk to this great couple on the phone. From listening to the sounds of their voices, I knew that they were caring genuine people, and Leigh must have been very proud to have Ken as an older brother.
I have gotten the chance to get to know both Ken and Audrey much more over the trip thus far, and along with Leigh, they have placed footprints in my heart, and I am very blessed for having the chance to learn about such a wonderful family from Prince Edward Island. Ken, in honour of your brother Leigh, and in honour of you and of all Veterans both deceased and of those who are still with us here today, I have written a poem of remembrance for your brother Leigh, and I would like to share it with you, in hopes that in our hearts, we will forever keep the story of Gunner Leigh L. MacKay alive within us. It is titled “I remember you now”.
I must have been a nightmare
So many years ago,
tol eave your loved ones behind,
to serve in a country unknown
waking up every morning,
with fear in your heart,
away from your farm
and your horses apart.
The cold rainy nights
and the unending noise,
kept you on your feet,
looking out he boys.
Your thoughts of love
of your family back home,
would have kept you determined,
to feel less alone.
Your dreams and your goals
Would have kept you hoping
Laughetr and good meals
would have prevented you from moping
I am thanking you today
a little too late
for your all you have done
using your heroic traite.
Your battles, your struggles,
Pain, laughter and more,
I remember you now
of your times in war.
Your courage, your bravery,
Your charm, and your love,
I remember you now as you watch from above
A place in my heart
You will forever stay
I remember you now
Gunner Leight MacKay.
I will keep the candle burning
Inside the flame will grow,
I will remember you always,
And that I do know.
You fought for me,
a generation unknown,
to live in Canada,
our peaceful home.
You layed down your life
the ultimate bow
Mr. MacKay, I remember,
I remember you now!
In times such as the Italian campaign, it was the Veterans’ responsibility to serve their country and without any doubt, they certainly met that responsibility. Now sixty years later, it is our responsibility to remember. Remember the sacrifices, the courage, the struggles, the victories, the parties, the jokes, the letters, the accomplishments, but most importantly the Veterans. Remember those who are still us today, remember also those who have passed on. It is trough remembering that we still stay aware of what the term war really means, and it is through celebrations such as this that will help us realize how many lives were spared for our freedom and survival in hopes that we, the youth of Canada, will never have to experience such a tragedy.
After making my presentation at the cemetery in Agira, I realized how much my story about Gunner Leigh L.MacKay meant to his brother Ken and his wife Audrey. To lose a brother during the war must have taken a lot out of Ken. To know that I helped bring Leigh back to life in the hearts of many Canadians and Italians was truly touching. Ken and Audrey are both exceptional people. They have hearts of gold, and remind me a lot of my grandparents. I hope to keep in touch with this great couple when I get back to Prince Edward Island, and as the years go on, I hope to learn much more about this extraordinary family from my home province. It was definitely a blessing getting to know them, and I know that I had made the right decision of researching Mr. Leigh MacKay, and I will forever keep a special place in my heart just for him and for remembering.
Erica Perry
Photo of Daniel MacDonald and his wife - Minister of Veterans Affairs Daniel J. MacDonald and his wife Pauline are seen here paying respects to Gunner Leigh MacKay of Stanley Bridge, Prince Edward Island. Daniel MacDonald served with the Cape Breton Highlanders as a Sergeant during the Italian Campaign. He was wounded in action during the Battle of Senio River in December of 1944 and later served as the Minister of Veterans Affairs from 1972 to 1980. The photo was taken by his executive assistant, Robert Mill during the 30th Anniversary of the Italian Campaign in 1975.
Photo of Daniel MacDonald - Minister of Veterans Affairs Daniel J. MacDonald is seen here writing some notes down for the family of Leigh MacKay of Stanley Bridge, Prince Edward Island.
Springbrook War Memorial - This war memorial is located in Springbrook, Prince Edward Island.
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