Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Angas McLeish was known as ‘Snowy’ to his family and friends and was a renowned sportsman in the suburb of Richmond, Victoria. He was only 18 years of age with fair hair and blue eyes when he enlisted in May 1916. He joined the 14th Field Artillery Battery at the front during January 1917. Angas was reported killed in action on 13 March 1917 and buried in the Flers Dressing Station Cemetery. This cemetery contained the graves of 33 soldiers from Australia who were all later reburied in the Guards Cemetery, Lesboeufs, France.

Snowy’s mother noted on his roll of honour form, “Stated by his officer, Captain G. Perram, that he was the best gun layer in his section and could ill afford to lose him.”

The Richmond Guardian ran a story on 14 April 1917, under the headings,

The Price of Victory Brave Richmond Boys Who Thought the Flag Was Worth Fighting For. "Snowy" McLeish Falls in France.

"Killed in action, Gunner Angus ("Snowy") McLeish was one of the brightest of the brave band of Richmond boys who have made the great sacrifice. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McLeish, Somerset Street, and from top to toe he was made of the sterling quality that stands a boy and a man out from his fellows and wins him the respect of all. He was a North Richmond schoolboy, and prizes in the front room of the McLeish home prove that his studies were not neglected. Mentally alert, he was physically splendid; He was one of the most prominent junior athletes in this or any other district. He excelled at cricket, football and pedestrianism. He was captain of the Richmond I.O.R. Club in cricket and football, and he led both teams to premiership honours. Joining St. Stephen's Cricket Club, his fine character and qualities for leadership were again recognised, and he was elected captain. Again, he led his side through a long series of games without a defeat. As a member of the St. Stephen's Harriers, he was also prominent, and he displayed a regular and earnest interest in the Church affairs.

"Snowy" was employed at the engineering works of R. Werner and Co., Burnley Street, and a brilliant career seemed open to him. His employers were proud of him, and there was not a man in the shop who did not respect and esteem him. McLeish had an elder brother at the front, he took part in the fighting at Dar-es-Salaam, South Africa. The call came for more men, and "Snowy" answered it. He left Australia on 3 October 1916 with a Howitzer Battery. He could have stayed in England for some weeks longer in training, but hearing of vacancies in a division of the Australian Field Artillery, he applied for a transfer, so as to go immediately to the firing line. He was there six weeks when the fatal shell arrived. He was 19 years and 10 months old. There was a pathetic incident connected with the breaking of the news to his father. Those who were present at the town hall meeting addressed by Mr. Tudor will remember that gentleman making an announcement from the platform, “That if Mr. McLeish is present, I am asked to state that he is wanted at home.” A gentleman left his seat at the rear of the stage; A married son met him at the door. They walked home silently together."