TOPIC:

A new acquisition.
2422 Private John Leech West Yorkshire Regt.

Private John Leech was born in 1871 at York England.
He attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment on 25th March 1889 he had been rejected previously for Her Majesty's service for "Under chest measurement"
John is shown on his service papers as a labourer and his physical description still shows him as small in stature.
His height being 5ft 5" and his chest measurement now 32"
Private Leech spent the first years of his service on Home duty until 1891 were he was posted to the East Indies.
After 3 years he spent time in Gibraltar eventually called to Reserve after a further 3 years.
His South African campaign started in October 1899 and ended after 251 days.
His records show he was "wounded in Natal" on the 17.02.1900 I assumed not severely as he stayed in South Africa until June 1900 unless he was hospitalised?
John spent a further 2 years on Home service and ended his 13 years service in 1902
He obviously missed the Army life and attested again in March 1904 for the Royal Garrison he was nearly 34 at the time and his occupation was still listed as labourer.
Private Leech served with the R.G.A. until 31.05.1905 when he was discharged.
John came back to live the rest of his life in York until his death in 1949 of prostrate cancer.
The casualty records only show "Wounded in Natal" its a shame they are not more specific on location.






Paul

A link below to some questions I asked the forum with references to Private Leech's differing casualty dates.

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/9...cting-casualty-dates

Paul

Paul

It is good to finally see the medal and have it so well displayed in your photograph. Thank you for sharing Leech's story.

Victoria's soldiers seem so physically frail by modern standards that it seems miraculous that they had conquered and kept (more or less) under control a large part of the world.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,

Thank you for your comments.

Yes I think we are lucky that our generation now has good health and a good diet.

Paul

Brett Hendey wrote: Paul

It is good to finally see the medal and have it so well displayed in your photograph. Thank you for sharing Leech's story.

Victoria's soldiers seem so physically frail by modern standards that it seems miraculous that they had conquered and kept (more or less) under control a large part of the world.

Regards
Brett

Paul,
I like the way the medal has toned, Her Majesty appears to have a beard, a la kruger!
Frank

Frank,
One could be thrown into the tower for such remarks against Her Majesty
But I do agree

Paul

Frank Kelley wrote: Paul,
I like the way the medal has toned, Her Majesty appears to have a beard, a la kruger!
Frank