As Luck Would Have It In War and Peace

About the Book

These memoirs by Stan Biggs, WW II veteran and successful Toronto lawyer born 1913, are filled with anecdotes, photos and poems about humour and danger during his 93 years of living in times of war and peace.

Chapter 1 covers growing up in Toronto and obtaining three university degrees. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1939, Biggs joined up with The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in 1941. Chapter 2 details his military training and fighting in World War II. On D-Day, landing on Juno Beach, France, he became acting captain with vivid stories of armed combat. After 86 days of front-line action, he was seriously wounded in the leg. Chapter 3 describes his next involvement as a military lawyer while convalescing in England. He outlines courts martial including his obtaining conviction of the twelve ring leaders in the Headley Down riots. Biggs also details his attachment to British Counsel during the 'Lord Haw Haw' treason trials of the infamous William Joyce.

By December, 1945, Biggs was back in Toronto and Chapters 4 to 10 recall stories about his legal practice and membership in professional associations over the next 60 years. In 1995, he received the medal for distinguished service from the Law Society of Upper Canada.

The final chapter, in reflection, highlights incidents and writings that shaped Biggs' respect for the rule of law and questions about religious belief. The appendix follows with copies of his speeches, toasts, service medals and acknowledgements about his distinguished careers and deep interests.

About the Author

Stan Biggs was born in Toronto, 1913, one of four children. He attended Rosedale Public School and UTS then on to the University of Toronto and his call to the Ontario Bar in 1939. Biggs was a 2nd lieutenant promoted to captain in the Queens Own Rifles of Canada during World War II. He fought in Normandy, France on D-Day June 6th 1944, and for 86 days of front-line action until seriously wounded in the leg. During convalescence, he continued in England as a Canadian military lawyer prosecuting in courts martial and attached to British counsel during the famous Lord Haw-Haw treason trials. In December, 1945, he was able to return home to Canada.

After the war, he developed his law practice back in Toronto following the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He was a successful QC lawyer in a variety of legal cases for over sixty years. He was also busy with his growing family of four children, voluntary executive positions in different professional associations, as well as time as an honourary solicitor for several charitable organizations. In 1995, Biggs received the Law Society Medal for distinguished service from the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Biggs also made his individual contribution to the environment with thousands of trees planted on properties in Mono Township. He enjoyed playing golf and squash and won several competitions. In 2007, Stan Biggs, at ninety-three, completed his memoirs about his long life filled with humour and danger during times of war and peace.

He died June 8, 2008, at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto after a brief illness. He was 94. He is survived by children Christopher, Barrett, John and Dinny, and seven grandchildren. His wife, Barbara, predeceased him in 2005.

Read his touching obituary in The Globe and Mail.