Charles
Firstname
William Leathley
Middle Name
Jackson
Surname
Date of Birth
School Years:
Date of Death:
1927 - 35
Family
His guardian was Mrs R. Young of London.
He had 2 younger brothers Roddy and John who were both O.I.s.and served in WW2. He married Norma (sister to his brother's wife Bobby) in June 1942 and they had 3 children.
School Record
he took part in many school activities. He was a member of School House and in his last year was Head of House and Deputy Head Boy.He was a member of the Literary Dramatic Society and played the part of Prospero in the Tempest in 1935. In his own words he stated:-"My performance was not unforgetable" Rugby was his main sport and he played in the !st XV 1933,34 and 35. He was elected Captain in 1935 in which year both his brothers also played. /having 3 brothers in one team in the same year may well be a School /record. He was accepted for Trinity College Cambridge where he read law, coming down in 1939.
Branch of Service:
Army Royal Hampshire Regiment
Service Number:
142844
Rank:
Decorations:
Service Record
Major
MID and Campaign Medals
Post War Career
He was initially rejected for war service due to "flat feet" but, on 23rd October 1939 he reported to Hendon Recruiting Centre to join the army in the ranks. He did not have a choice of arm or regiment and, having taken the Oath of Allegiance, he was told that he was now a guardsman in the Grenadier Guards. Life in the Guards was hard, the discipline severe and training rigorous. After 9 months training at Chelsea Barracks, he became an officer cadet and was able to choose a regiment. Some relatives had previously served with the Hampshire Regiment and this was his choice. He was posted to the Officer Cadet Training Unit at Shorncliffe in Kent and, upon becoming commissioned, went to the Isle of Wight to join the 11th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, largely made up of the Royal Militia Island of Jersey.
He was issued with tropical kit and embarked on the "Highland Princess" in 1943. this was apparently the last troopship to have a bar. They were shipped to Lagos, Nigeria where Charles was posted to the 5th Battalion of the Nigeria Regiment. The Officers and NCOs were European and other ranks Nigerian. He trained the Nigerian soldiers for 18 months in a town called Ibaden and, when it was considered that the troops were sufficiently trained, the Battalion sailed for India. From Bombay he travelled by train to Calcutta and thence to Ranchi where further training took place in jungle warfare. Operations against the Japanese in Burma were eventually commenced. Charles stated:- "It was very soon apparent to me that all the training in the world cannot prepare a soldier for actual battle conditions. I shall not discuss the engagements we had with the enemy but it will be appreciated that it was not a pleasant experience. The Japanese are good soldiers and it was sometimes difficult to dislodge them from their well prepared positions." Their division, known as the 82nd West African division had success and advanced through territory known as Arakan. Charles was mentioned in despatches and was demobilised as a Major and Company Commander.
He qualified as a Solicitor in June 1948 and, after staying with the firm he had been articled to for 4 years, he set up on his own as a Sole Practitioner where he remained for 22 years until 1974 when he sold the practise. He wanted to do something entirely different and worked for the Cambridge University Library until his retirement on reaching the age of 65.
Burial Information
Additional Information
Obituary O.I.M. volume 7 October 2006 at page 35 and his own story in the same magazine at pages 41 to 43 entitled "Some Memories from a long Life."
Gazette info:https//www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37730/supplement/4700.
Other Pictures
Clasp for Mentioned in Despatches
Insignia of 82nd (West African) Division
Newly recruited Nigerians in 1943.