Quartermaster-Sergeant, Thomas Leach was killed in action at Isandhlwana on 22nd January 1879

Thomas Leitch attested for the 24th Foot on 18 October 1860, aged 19 years 6 months. He re-engaged as Colour Sergeant at Malta on 25 July 1870. Subsequently promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant, Thomas Leach was killed in action at Isandhlwana on 22 January 1879, the second most senior N.C.O. in the regiment to be killed. The medal is accompanied by his parchment Freemasonry certificate conferring the Degree of Mark Master Mason of Lodge No. 387 Malta, dated 29 April 1870. The reverse of this parchment carries an ink inscription by the Secretary of the British Lodge No. 334, Cape Town, dated 15th February 1879, which reads: ‘Note. Br. Leitch was killed at the Battle of Isandula in Zululand, South Africa, on 22nd January 1879. This Certificate is retained in possession of Mrs. Leitch, who is known by Br. C. E. Egan, a member of this Lodge, as the lawful wife of our deceased Brother.’ Also sold with some family notes and two documents relating to his son, Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Leitch, 7 Bn. North Lancashire Regiment, comprising Mention in Despatches certificate, dated 13 November 1916, and Certificate of Discharge having been appointed to a Commission in the Labour Corps, 17 May 1918.

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