[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]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.’
Source: DNW