Maltreatment of Prisoners of War

CASE 1362—LOUIS VICTOR LEFEBVRE

McDougall Reparations 1930–1931 Case 1362 Page: 23

The claimant enlisted September in the 13th Battalion—Regimental number 24849. He enlisted September 23, 1914, at the age of 26 years. He was taken prisoner April 24, 1915, during the second battle of Ypres, suffering from gunshot wound in the left leg and somewhat gassed. He was repatriated to England January 6, 1919. He is not in receipt of pension. He is unmarried. Prior to enlistment, he was working in his father's office at a salary of $60 per month, and since his discharge has been employed as a bush clerk with different pulp and paper concerns at $80 per month and board, working about eight months per year.

He alleges that while a prisoner of war he was subjected to maltreatment which has resulted in pecuniary damage to him. He complains of, nervous trouble and indigestion (gastric ulcer) due to hard labour and insufficient food while held prisoner of war.

This case, as its docket number will indicate, was filed before the previous Commissioner. It was not dealt with for the reason that claimant did not appear to substantiate his claim. He appeared before the present Commission at Montreal.

An analysis of the evidence reveals:”

After capture, claimant was taken to Roulers where he received some medical attention for his wounds. He was removed to Paderborn in Westphalia and thence to Uchtermon in Hanover. His complaint is that he was overworked and underfed, and that his health has been permanently 'affected thereby. He does not complain of any particular acts of brutality whilst a prisoner and concludes his testimony with the statement that his present inability to earn a living results from his weakened state of health due to lack of proper food.

The medical evidence is very scant, consisting merely of the certificate of Dr. J. A. Corcoran (since deceased) dated December 22, 1921. Without detailing claimant's ailments, Dr. Corcoran attributes his condition as largely due to " privation and starvation while a prisoner -in Germany ". The medical history sheets bear the following notation "man still feels some weakness following his period of internment in Germany. He is still slightly depressed; digestion is somewhat torpid but on return to more congenial conditions he shall be A1."

In this state of the record I am unable to reach the conclusion that claimant has suffered a disability due to maltreatment at the hands of the enemy. His troubles are nutritional in origin and must in my view be ascribed to general conditions prevailing in Germany. The case may, or may not, be one for conÂsideration by the Board of Pension Commissioners. As far as this Commission is concerned, the claim must be disallowed for lack of proof.

ERROL M. McDOUGALL,

Commissioner,

OTTAWA, December 7, 1931.

Originally printed on page 23 of the report

Transcribed by: marc