George Dowell Jr. Leask

Dowell Leask of Oakland, CA, went into the Lord's presence in France on November 11, 1944 by enemy action. He was interred eventually at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA. He was the son of Major George Dowell Leask (1896-1972), who had been recently been relieved of active service, and grandson of Mrs. Hanna A. Anderson (b. 1881), who was raised in Sweden and evidently in the Assembly. Major Leask was evidently an electrician prior to his time in the service.

Dowell's mother was Edna B. Anderson, born March 2, 1901 and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and worked as a bookeeper for Eppley Hotel Company, but living in San Leandro, CA at the time of their wedding on Aug. 7, 1922. Edna's parents were Edward N. Anderson and Hannah Johnson Anderson. George Sr.'s parents were William Leask (1855-1940), a carpenter, and and Elizabeth Hewison Leask (1860-1902), immigrating to the U.S. in 1884.

Only twenty years of age, Dowell was saved about 1939. One of our most promising young men, he turned down offers of promotion that he might remain and witness for his Lord amongst his comrades. His latest letters prove that his affections were in the heavens. At the first public announcement of his home call, a breath-taking gasp was heard all over the Hall, which caused our brother, Neil Fraser, to change a previously announced subject to one of comfort and consolation. Dowell's departure has been keenly felt. The picture below is of Major George Dowell Leask with his son Pfc. George Dowell, Jr. Leask. His father was raised in Mason City, Iowa before moving to Oakland. Dowell's mother, Edna, died in Los Angeles on June 7, 1940.

Dowell was a member of the 328 Med Bn, 103rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army as a conscientious objector. He was born Sept. 22, 1924 in Albany, CA, and at the age of 18 when he registered for the draft, in Feb. of 1943, he was employed at the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company.

Dear Mrs. Anderson, This is an extremely difficult letter for me to write for I realize that regardless of what I tell you, it will not replace your loss. However, as immediate commanding officer of your grandson, Dowell Leask, I knew him quite well and feel that there are a few things I should tell you. He was killed in action on November 11, 1944, and I am certain that death was instantaneous.

Your grandson was truly an amazing boy. I have never known a more conscientious man. In every way he was a perfect soldier, always willing to do his job without hesitation. He was a perfect gentleman and a sincere Christian, regularly reading his Bible. His closest friends in the company told me this story: On the morning of his death he and two friends were the first men to get up. They made a fire and George sat by the fire reading passages from his Bible to them. This is typical of his spirit.

The entire company and I regret his loss more than I can express. The vacancy he left will never be filled by the type of man he was. If I can ever be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call on me. I hope that it will be of some comfort to you to know he died for his country while doing his job.

Sincerely, John W. Donald 1st Lt. M.C.

Mrs. Anderson's letter

We publish Mrs. Anderson's letter to show how the Lord Jesus Christ not only saved but thoroughly satisfied a twenty year old lad.

Oakland, CA March 3, 1945

Some weeks ago I promised I would mail you a copy of a letter I received from my grandson's (George Dowell Leask) commanding officer in France. I enclose same herewith. It was such a great consolation to me in my grief to receive the letter and know that Dowell really lived Christ in the Army, which I understand is not so easy to do.

Dowell's many letters have been such a comfort, too. He wrote that he had learned during the past two years that the only true happiness for a boy was knowing the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour; and then in finding out how true a Friend He was from day to day, and how sweet His companionship could be.

I never needed to be lonely; never needed to worry about anything and then the wonderful joy and satisfaction of knowing that each day you were nearing a bright goal, a glorious land where you would forever dwell with the Lord and with those who loved Him. He only wished that all his buddies and officers knew his Saviour! Dowell spent his 20th birthday traveling toward France. He was sent to the front almost immediately, and killed in the first battle. I have not yet learned the details.

Yours by His grace, Hanna Anderson

Major George D. Leask

The following written by Dowell's father, Major George D. Leask, gives some of this information.

"I visited Dowell in Texas shortly before he sailed to France and gave Dowell my thin zipper Bible, which I had carried throughout Africa and Italy. Dowell gave me his large Scofield Bible. I enjoy reading the portions of Scriptures which he underscored, e.g. Col. 3:1-3, 16-17, 23-24. He wrote to me from France that he read the New Testament through during the voyage across the Atlantic and that his morale was high.

Dowell and another twenty-year-old boy administered blood plasma and first-aid to the severely wounded at the front and carried their patients by liter back to the battalion aid station, where one of them stepped on a mine killing both of them instantly. "We sorrow not even as others which have no hope" (1 Thess. 4:13).

Major George Dowell Leask September 2nd, 1944

Sources

January 1945: Light & Liberty
August 1945: Letters of Interest
Picture from "the2dunks" from Ancestry.com where much of the history was obtained

George Dowell Jr. Leask

Contents

Letters to the Editor: August 1945

1st Lt. John W. Donald

Mrs. Anderson's letter

Major George D. Leask

Sources

BrethrenPedia