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LeBOUTILLIER,
William Percy, Captain, MBE
Royal Rifles of Canada
Canada Gazette dated 15 June 1946 (No. 24, Vol. 80, p.3849) and CARO/6632 dated 17 June 1946.
Captain LeBoutillier, Adjutant of the Royal Rifles of Canada was taken prisoner at Hong Kong in December 1941.
During 1942 and until the end of August 1943 at North Point and Shamshuipo prisoner of war camps, as the battalion retained its identity, this officer continued to perform the duties of Adjutant in an exceptionally efficient manner, maintaining a high standard of discipline and morale in the regiment.
In the absence of his Commanding Officer during seven months of this period from September 1943, when all senior Canadian officers were removed to another camp, until March 1945, he commanded the Royal Rifles of Canada and thereafter until the end of the war, acted as Senior Canadian Officer in Camp "S". He displayed continuously and consistently outstanding qualities of leadership, devotion to duty, courage, ability and initiative, and never relaxed in his efforts to promote the welfare of the officers and men in his charge. He was responsible for the preservation of essential records, displaying great ingenuity in keeping them out of the hands of the Japanese, and participated in highly dangerous underground activities to smuggle into camp medicines for the sick. His complete unselfishness and strong character made him the most respected and admired officer in Camp "S" and he performed services continuous of the highest value to all prisoners of war.
His conduct was at all times an inspiration and outstanding example to all ranks and in the highest traditions of the service.
