LEACH, John
| Service Number: | 12 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Zillmere, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Toowoomba Grammar School South African Honour Roll |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 12, 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar 1900: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 12, 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 463 notes 3rd QMI embarked 1 Mar 1900 aboard Duke of Portland arriving Cape Town 2 Apr 1900. | |
| 21 Jun 1901: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Corporal, 12, 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 465 notes 3rd QMI embarked 9 May 1901 at Cape Town returning to Australia aboard Morayshire arriving Sydney 7 Jun 1901 (rail to Brisbane), disbanded 21 Jun 1901. |
Return of John Leach
Return of Corporal Leach.
One by one the men who left the Roma district for active service in South Africa,
are returning. The mail train on Monday evening brought Corporal John Leach, of
the Third Queensland contingent. Corporal Leach, with his comrades, took part in the severe but glorious engagement at Elands River, besides numerous other smaller operations. So well and bravely did the men acquit themselves that they received the higliest commendation from the principal Imperial officers, and made the forces from Queensland a factor to be reckoned with by the Boers. The contingent of which Corporal Leach was a member is now styled "The Gallant Thirds." Corporal Leach was welcomed at the railway station by a large
nnmber of his Roma friend", and the occasion of his return was signalised by the firing of fog signals and round after round of cheers.
Last evening it appeared as if all the residents of Roma had assembled at Mr.
James Leach's residence, in Gregory-street, to further honor and welcome home the returned soldier. The pleasing duty of expressing the feelings of those assembled was appropriately fixed upon Captain Faithful, under whose command Corporal Leach had previously served as sergeant. Dr. L'Estrange, Messrs. Hunter, Miscamble, and Mayfield followed in expressing the high esteem in which Corporal Leach is held by the residents of Roma, their appreciation of his noble efforts on behalf of the Empire in South Africa, and their gratitude in being able to welcome him back safe and sound amongst them. Corporal Leach briefly responded, expressing his delight, after having experienced many hardships, at being back
again amongst his Roma friends. He thanked them all for their kindness in giving
him such a welcome home. Three ringing cheers were given at the close of Corporal Leach's remarks. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing and singing, a most enjoyable time being spent.
(Source: 1901 'Return of Corporal Leach.', Western Star and Roma Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1875 - 1948), 26 June, p. 3. , viewed 02 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97389577)
Submitted 2 May 2016 by Timna Green
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