| The medal card of William Leach from which we can see that he was a
private and later a corporal in the 9th Royal Fusiliers - he married
Ellen O'Shea in 1918 and the marriage certificate states his occupation
as "Private 4722 Royal Fusiliers" so he most likely received his
promotion after his marriage. He was entitled to the
Victory Medal,
British Medal and the
15 Star. The first theatre of war served in
is (1) France from the 1st June 1915 - same date as Ernest John Barnes.
No indication as to when he was discharged. The 9th Royal Fusiliers was
a 'service' battalion raised as Kitcheners 'K1' army and part of the
12th (Eastern) Division - the 5th Royal Berks were in the same division
- William would have seen service on the
Western Front, including the Somme for the entire war. |
