Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Southern Desert, Iraq group of seven awarded to Group Captain A. Leach, British West India Regiment, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. Leach served as an Observer with 57 Squadron during the Great War, and during one aerial combat managed to shoot down 2 enemy aircraft, despite being wounded, and attacked by a force of 15. He subsequently retrained as a pilot, and served with 55 Squadron in Iraq, 1927-29. Leach was twice M.I.D. for his services during the Second War

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. Leach. R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq (F/L. A. Leach. R.A.F.) edge bruise; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. Oak leaf, mounted for display, generally nearly very fine or better (7) £2,800-£3,200

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As an observer, whilst engaged on photographic work, he was attacked by five hostile triplanes. After he had fired a burst of thirty rounds at a range of 100 yards, one of the enemy planes went down in flames. Though the remaining hostile planes were reinforced by another ten machines, and though he himself was wounded, he fired a drum at a range of 150 yards, which resulted in another of the enemy machines rolling over on its side and falling to pieces. By his skill and coolness he undoubtedly saved his pilot and the machine.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1941 and 1 January 1942.

Anthony Leach was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica in August 1896. He was a volunteer in the West Indian Local Forces before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the British West India Regiment, 30 March 1917. Leach was attached for service with the Royal Flying Corps, 1 February 1918, and trained as an Observer. He was posted for operational flying with 57 Squadron (D.H. 4’s) at Ste. Marrie Cappel, France in March 1918.

The Squadron were tasked with bombing and photo-reconnaissance operations. Leach and his pilot, Lieutenant Powell, in DH. 4 A2155 were hit by anti-aircraft fire whilst carrying out one such raid over Bapaume, 27 March 1918. Powell managed to land the stricken aircraft, with no injury to himself or his observer.

On 1 April 1918, the day the Royal Air Force came into being, Leach distinguished himself during a photo-reconnaissance near Irles. Flying with Captain F. Mc. D. C. Turner, M.C. as his pilot, Leach shot down two aircraft and was wounded during aerial combat:

‘Whilst on Photography five Fokker triplanes attacked D.H. 4 at 16,000 feet; Observer fired a burst of 30 rounds at a range of 100 yards and one E.A. went down in flames.

Ten other E.A. (Fokker triplanes and Albatros Scouts) then joined up with remaining four E.A. Observer fired a drum at one E.A. at 150 yards range, and was then himself wounded but saw E.A. roll over on its side and fall to pieces.’ (Combat Report refers)

Turner also claimed one enemy aircraft forced down out of control from his shooting. Leach remained in the Royal Air Force after the war, and retrained as a pilot, with subsequent service including with 55 Squadron in Iraq, 1927-29. He advanced to Squadron Leader in December 1930 and served as Adjutant with H.M.S. Courageous (aircraft carrier) from 1935. Having advanced to Wing Commander, Leach served as Station Commander of R.A.F. Binbrook, 1940-41. After a period of service in Canada, Leach advanced to Group Captain and served as Officer Commanding, 2001 Air Disarmament Wing, British Air Forces of Occupation in Germany. He retired in June 1946, and resided in Penarth, Glamorgan. Leach became the first President of the new R.A.F.A. Club in Penarth, and died at Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff in November 1971.

Sold with the following related documentation: Two M.I.D. Certificates, dated 31 August 1940 and 1 January 1942; British Air Forces Of Occupation Certificate of Appreciation, dated 2 March 1946; a photograph of recipient with Marshal of Air Force Arthur Tedder; three group photographs including recipient in uniform; and copied research.