Colonel Arthur D’Orr LePan

Arthur LePan was born in Owen Sound, Ontario to an affluent family. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Engineering and upon graduation, he accepted a position as Assistant Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds at the University.
His military career began in the 31st Regiment, and at the outbreak of war, LePan oversaw the Canadian Officer Training Corps (COTC) program, which produced several thousand Canadian Army officers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was also the Officer Commanding of the School of Infantry, where he supervised three Polish officers’ training camps. On September 24, 1917, LePan was notified that he was to be the Commandant of the Polish Army Camp. He was admired by many of the Polish recruits. He showed great empathy for the struggle for Poland’s independence and made sure that all Canadian staff treated every volunteer with respect and admiration for their patriotism. His efforts dedicated towards the Polish cause were not forgotten; he was recognized by the French and the new Polish Government. The former awarded him the Croix de Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and the latter the insignia of Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta.