We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Leslie MacBride, CD (Ret'd) in Chilliwack BC on 8 July 2020 at age 90. Les served in the Royal Canadian Engineers for 37 years and was a veteran of the Korean War.
Les was born in Ottawa ON and moved to Quebec City while his father served during the Second World War He joined the Army in Kingston ON in 1948 when he was 18 years old. He did basic training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, followed by a Group 1 Instructor’s course in Camp Borden. He taught physical training in RCSME for
two years and then became a Group 2 Instructor, RCE. He was promoted to corporal in 1950 and sergeant in 1953. Les served seven months in Korea with 3 Field Squadron in 1954. He also served with the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt in 1967 as the Company Sergeant Major of the Canadian Works Company.
Les specialized in demolitions and bridging throughout his career and served in the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering/Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering on two tours (1959-61 and 1970/73) before he was appointed as School Chief Warrant Officer (1979-81).
In addition to his tours as an instructor with CFSME, Les also served with the Instructional Staff supporting the Militia in Calgary (1956-59) where he instructed Militia personnel in Alberta at Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer as well as Kimberly BC. He also had I Staff postings in Toronto at Fort York Armoury with 2nd Field Engineer Regiment (1961-63) and in Vancouver at Jericho Beach (1963-67).
Les was Squadron Sergeant Major of 1 Field Squadron in 1973 before being posted to National Defence Headquarters with the Director Military Engineer Operations for four years working on Northern Airfields. After his next tour as Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering Chief Warrant Officer, he returned to NDHQ in 1981 for his last four years of service looking after military bridging equipment. During that period Les also held the Acting Appointment of Canadian Military Engineer Chief Warrant Officer (1982-83).
Les retired to Chilliwack where he was able to turn his talents from demolitions, bridging and Northern Airfields to roses, winemaking and stained glass. Les was ammeber of the Royal Canadian Legion Chilliwack Branch No.4 for 41 years.
Interment will be at the Legion Cemetery on Little Mountain. A Memorial Service may take place once Covid-19 allows it. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.{khJul2020}
