Regimental number | 472 |
Place of birth | Orange New South Wales |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | Blacksmith |
Address | Main Street, Lithgow, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 22 |
Next of kin | Father, James Leahey, Main Street, Lithgow, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Driver |
Unit name | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, B Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/15/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Driver |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Pioneer Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'On the night of the 25th May, 1918, the ration wagon and water cart were proceeding to "A" Company of this Unit, when a heavy enemy barrage was encountered immediately West of VILLERS BRETONNEUX, near AMIENS. Owing to the intense enemy shelling, it was considered inadvisable to send the water cart forward, but as the rations were urgently required, No. 472 Driver LEAHEY, with absolute disregard for personal safety, volunteered to take the wagon through. This he was successful in doing, at great danger to himself, under the most difficult and exhausting circumstances. H.E. and gas shells were bursting around him, continuously, the wagon being hit in several places. On the return journey, he again showed remarkable courage and fortitude, and it was only by the greatest of good fortune that he escaped personal injury.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |