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FROM THE CONTEMPORARY LOCAL NEWSPAPERS OF NORTH BUCKS (BUCKS STANDARD, NORTH BUCKS TIMES, WOLVERTON EXPRESS)
With today’s internet a wealth of official information is available regarding those who served.
In an age before local radio and television, families often allowed letters to be published in the local press from their loved ones on active service.
However, for their descendants the letters reveal a more personal aspect, graphically describing the experience of the people and providing an insight into their personalities.

NBT 1916 Nov. 14th Tue.

Sergeant Frederick Leach, of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on Friday, October 13th, 1916. He had been in France for 15 months, and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Leach, formerly of Eggington. The Captain of his Company writes;

Sergt. Leach was my Company Sergt. Major, and had he lived, he would have been confirmed in his rank. He was a splendid example to all ranks, and was deeply beloved by officers and men alike.”

Quarter-Master Sergeant F. Croxford writes;

“Everyone in the company was more than sorry to hear that his wounds proved fatal. When he had been got safely into hospital we all hoped he would recover. I must say that I miss him myself very much indeed, and, as one who has always worked with him, I can safely say that his fine example and work were second to none.”

Aged 24, he was born at Eggington, the son of Charles and Sarah Leach, and leaves a widow at ‘Rosemede,’ Houghton Road, Dunstable.


ALSO AVAILABLE IN BOOK FORM AS ‘LETTERS FROM THE FIRST WORLD WAR’ FROM WWW. LULU.COM,
PRODUCED WITH THE INVALUABLE EXPERTISE OF ALAN KAY & ZENA DAN.