| Birth: | Jul. 27, 1892 | | Death: | Aug. 15, 1958 | 
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in North Shields, Northumberland, Leach was the son of a Color-Sergeant in the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment. He worked briefly as an apprentice in a chemist’s shop before joining the Army before the war, and was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Manchester Regiment in October 1914. Leach was awarded the V.C. for action near Festubert, France, between Bethune and La Bassée, on October 29, 1914. There was heavy fighting in the trench system where Leach’s unit was serving; the Germans overran the forward (first) line of trenches and were stopped only ten yards from the supporting (second) line. Leach and Sgt. John Hogan and a volunteer squad of 10 men from A Company counter-attacked along the communication trenches between the lines, pushing the Germans back through the traverses and retaking the forward line, in the process taking about 35 prisoners as well as releasing several of their own who had been captured earlier in the day. The rest of the regiment then came up and held the position until relieved on the 20th by the Gurkha Regiment of the Indian Corps. After the war Leach worked as a chartered secretary and councilor. He passed away at his home in Shepherds Bush, West London, at the age of 66. His medals are privately held. (bio by: Paul F. Wilson)
Search Amazon for James Leach | | | Burial:
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend. |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Mar 20, 2004
Find A Grave Memorial# 8539040 |
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Added by:
Paul F. Wilson
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