Name
Robert Onebye Leach
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1918
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HAYNECOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
I. B. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted - Berkhamsted Collegiate School
Not on the Rickmansworth memorials
Pre War
Born about 1885 in Pinner.
The 1901 census records his father Henry Robert Leach as principal Clerk Civil Service Supreme Court Pay office. Robert was aged 16 and attending Berkhamsted School.
The 1911 census shows the family living at Elmcroft, High Street, Rickmansworth. Henry was 61 and had been born at Cambridge Terrace, London. Margaret aged 54 had been born in Hampstead. Robert was aged 26, a horticultural student born in Pinner. David Alexander aged 18 was an architectural student also born in Pinner. Agnes Aignell their servant had been born at Bradwell on Sea.
Wartime Service
The citation for Lieutenant Leach's Military Cross was published in the London Gazette in a supplement dated 1st February 1919.
Lt. Robert Onebye Leach 5th Bn., Can. Infy., Saskatchewan R. For conspicuous gallantry and able leadership of a small party against enemy machine-gun posts east of Heudicourt Les Cagnicourt - Dury roads on September 1st, 1918. His judgement and resource in approaching and outflanking these posts resulted in the capture of a number of machine-guns, and eased the advance of the infantry. The disregard which he showed for his own safety had a great influence on his men.
Acknowledgments
Tanya Britton, Robert and Sally Williams. Jonty Wild
