LEACH, Clive Preston
| Service Number: | WX4345 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Brookhampton, Western Australia, Australia , 10 August 1917 |
| Home Town: | Brookhampton, South West, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Donnybrook, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Farm Hand |
| Died: | Illness, Koitaki New Guinea, 1 January 1943, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea B1. F. 7. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brookhampton Thomsons Brook Shire Memorial, Donnybrook War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Corporal, WX4345 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, WX4345, 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
WW2
The details provided are taken from the book "1000 Men at War" the history of the 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, published 1959, refer to page 90. Clive was born 10th Aug 1917 at Brookhampton WA, and prior to the war he was a farm worker at the same town. He served with the 2nd/16th Inf Bn, and was awarded a Mention In Dispatches for his activities prior to his Death due to Illness, 1st Jan 1943. Rest In Peace. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 6 May 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Geoff Tilley
Clive Preston Leach was born in August 1917 at Brookhampton, Western Australia to parents Frederick and Agnes Leach, nee Trigwell who were married in Donnybrook in 1903.
Clive was one of nine siblings with four brothers and four sisters, with his schooling conducted within the Brookhampton Donnybrook area. On leaving school he worked as a farm hand.
Clive enlisted into the AIF in June 1940 at Northam. At the completion of his training, he embarked for overseas service from Fremantle in October 1940 where he disembarked in Egypt in November 1940, moving to Palestine to continue training.
In early 1941 the battalion was moved to defend the Egypt-Libya border against a possible German attack. By April 1941 the battalion moved back to Palestine where they were involved in the Syria-Lebanon campaign in action against the Vichy French.
It was in these actions against the Vichy French, Clive worked as a stretcher bearer working long hours in exposed positions amongst the wounded.
In one of the actions he set up an aid post where he continued to bring the wounded back in, applying field dressings and alleviating the suffering until they could be moved back to a Regimental Aid Post. He was later recognised for his action and was “Mentioned in Dispatches” in August 1942.
It was in September of 1941 he was promoted to Lance Corporal remaining in the Middle east until January 1942, when the battalion returned to Australia to conduct jungle training. They were preparing to be sent to New Guinea following the Japanese victories throughout South East Asia.
The battalion embarked from Australia arriving in Port Moresby in August 1942 where they were rushed into the lines along the Kokoda Track, where they suffered heavy casualties. During this time Clive was promoted to Corporal.
In November 1942 the battalion was sent back into battle, not only did the battalion suffer combat casualties but many soldiers were weakened by malaria and typhus.
Clive was one of those who contracted “scrub typhus”. He was evacuated to the 2/2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Koitaki where he died of his illness.
Corporal Clive Preston Leach, service number WX4345 of 2/16th Battalion died of illness on the 1st January 1943. He was 25 years of age.
He is buried at the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, New Guinea.
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