LEECH, John Ernest
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Known as:
Jack
Rank:
Sergeant (later Company Sergeant Major)
Unit / Base:
3 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
5948937
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Sunday, July 11, 1920
Died :
Tuesday, May 30, 2000
Place died:
Bedfordshire
Age:
79
Private John Leech was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in 1943 at Calabria, Italy [1][1a].
Military Medal
"During the operations in Calabria between the 28th Aug and 5th Sep 43, Pte Leach took a prominent part in ambushing an Italian army lorry on the night of 30/31 Aug and in capturing an Italian post on the 31st Aug. This was despite his having malaria at the time, which fact he concealed. While escorting three Italian prisoners on the 31st Aug he fainted and was lost until the next day, when, his party being pursued by a company of Italian parachutists, rather than risk the safety of his companions he left them and concealed himself on a farm.
On 2 Sep 43, being somewhat recovered, he and a sailor joined themselves to a party under Cpl Davison and the same day he, alone, captured 6 Italians in Bova Marina.
This soldier though sick, did more than many a man in perfect health and was a great asset to both patrols he found himself with" [1a].
Promoted Sergeant and awarded a bar to his Military Medal at Normandy [2].
Bar to the Military Medal
"On Queen Red Beach on 6 Jun 44 Sgt. Leech's Section Officer was wounded and he immediately took command and re-organized. Casualties had occurred in the boat.
During the counter attack on Le Plein woods on the morning of 8 Jun 44 he led the section with great distinction, and he himself killed several of the enemy, and his section took numerous prisoners. Although wounded he continued to lead the section until the operation was successfully completed. He displayed powers of leadership, military knowledge, and courage of the highest order" [2a].
July 1944 re-joined his commando after recovering from his wounds in the UK [3].
20 August 1944 wounded a second time in Normandy [4].
March 1952, Cyprus, Company Sergeant Major, 1st Bn. Beds. and Herts Regiment [5].
Member of the Commando Association resding Dunstable, Bedfordshire [6].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36327, page 257.
[1a] National Archives file WO373/4/159.
[2] London Gazette 36679, page 4047.
[2a] National Archives file WO373/48/239.
[3] National Archives file WO 218/65 [more...].
[4] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/81.
[5] Commando Association newsletter 14 issued March 1952.
[6] Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 111 (2000).
[Images] cropped from CVA Gallery photos.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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