LEACH Joseph Charles Edward
Joseph Charles Edward LEACH, Cambrian Daily Leader, 8 Dec 1917
Joseph Charles Edward LEACH, Memorial Plaque and 1915 Star
Joseph Charles Edward LEACH
Medals: Victory, British, 1915 Star. Entered France 2 December 1915
17458, Company Sergeant Major, 14th (Service) Battalion, Swansea Pals, The Welsh Regiment
Born: Battersea 2nd qtr of 1894. Enlisted: Swansea
Employment: Great Western Railway at Swansea
Joseph married Edith Heath in 1911
When he enlisted in 1914, they were living at 74a Dagnan Road, Balham, S.W. London.
They had two children: Charles, born in 1912 and Albert in 1916, both in Wandsworth.
It is possible that Joseph was wounded and returned to 'Blighty' for treatment.
Died of Wounds 20 June 1917, 34 years of age
Buried with Honour WEST NORWOOD CEMETERY,
Lambeth, London (SE 27). Grave ref: Screen Wall (46. 34327).
West Norwood Cemetery
MUMBLES SERGT MAJOR DEAD
'News has been received at Mumbles, of the death from wounds of Serg - Major Joseph Leach, who prior to joining up resided at the Mumbles, being employed on the Great Western Railway at Swansea.
Serg. Leach joined the Army during the South African War when only 16 years of age. But on account of his youth was not sent to the front. He again joined soon after the outbreak of the present war. He was 34 years of age.'
Cambrian Daily Leader, 6th July 1917
and
Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder, 14th July 1917
14th (Service) Battalion and the Battle for Mametz Wood.
The Swansea Pals departed for the Western Front in December 1915 and became part of the 38th Welsh Division. The battalion participated in the attack on Mametz Wood in France during the First Battle of the Somme. One hundred men were lost and 300 more wounded in a single day.
During The Battle for Mametz Wood, three Mumbles Men were killed on the same day, The casualties were Samuel GAMMON, John THOMAS and George WALTERS. In later battles, they were followed by Richard BEYNON and Clifford STEEL . They are remembered on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL which bears the names of more than 72,000 men who have no known grave.