Service number | 2053, 2053A |
---|---|
Birth Date | 1892 |
Birth Place | United Kingdom: England, Hampshire, Portsmouth |
Death Date | 20/10/1972 |
Death Place | Australia: South Australia, Adelaide, Redwood Park |
Final Rank | Private |
Service | Australian Imperial Force |
Unit | 9th Australian Infantry Battalion |
Places | |
Conflicts/Operations |
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Private John Leak
Description
English-born John Leak (1892-1972) came to Australia as a boy and in January 1915 enlisted in the AIF. He served on Gallipoli and next year accompanied his unit to France, in time to be thrown into the bloody fighting at Pozières. In a battle notorious for its scale and intensity, Leak's solo attack with bombs and bayonet on a German post stood out. In a further action on 21 August he was wounded.
Few came out of Pozières without physical or mental scars and this brave soldier was no exception, yet he served on only to be severely gassed in March 1918. After a few jobs, Leak became a garage proprietor in Western Australia, before retiring to South Australia, where he died.
Rolls
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Unit
- 9th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards:
- Unit
- 9th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
First World War Embarkation Roll:
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
First World War Nominal Roll:
- Unit
- 9th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
Timeline
Date of birth | 1892 | |
---|---|---|
Date of enlistment | 28/01/1915 | |
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) | 28/01/1915 | 9 Battalion |
Date of embarkation | 16/04/1915 | |
Date of recommendation honour or award | 31/07/1916 | |
Date wounded | 21/08/1916 | Wounded at Mouquet Farm. |
Date of honour or award | 23/07/1916 | Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Pozieres, France whilst serving with 9 Battalion, 3 Brigade, 1 Division as a Private |
Date wounded | 07/03/1918 | Gassed |
Date returned to Australia | 09/02/1919 | |
Date of discharge | 31/05/1919 | |
Date of death | 20/10/1972 |
Related information
Places
Subjects
Related Objects
- Private John Leak VC, of the 9th Battalion surrounded by friends and well-wishers outside ...
- PORTRAIT OF 2053, PRIVATE JOHN LEAK, 9TH BATTALION, WHO WAS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR HIS ...
- PORTRAIT OF 2053, PRIVATE JOHN LEAK, 9TH BATTALION, WHO WAS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR HIS ...
- c. 1916. Studio portrait of Private John Leak VC, 9th Battalion. Pte Leak was awarded the ...