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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 362

The Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Private E. W. Leach, 58th Canadian Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (249709 Pte. E. W. Leach. 58/Can: Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (249709 Pte. E. W. Leach. 58-Can. Inf.), very fine (3)

M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919.

Ernest William Leach was born on 19 March 1894 at Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, the son of Sarah Leach. A lineman by occupation, he attested at Toronto for the 208th Canadian Infantry on 5 June 1916, and disembarked at Liverpool from H.M.T. Justicia on 14 May 1917. Taken on strength with the 8th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe, Leach was transferred to the 58th Battalion at Sandling on 16 February 1918 and landed in France the next day. Serving on the Western Front from 23 February 1918, he was struck down by bronchitis in April. Sent to hospital, it appears the medical authorities were concerned that illness ran in the family, Leach having lost his father to typhoid fever and suffered from tonsillitis himself in 1917:

'Man is poorly nourished, delicate appearance, teeth good.'

Discharged 18 days later, Leach returned to his unit and embarked home to Canada aboard the S.S. Celtic on 7 May 1919, being released from service ten days later; sold with copied service record.


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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£170