HEROIC DEED OF GALLANT AUSTRALIAN.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 27 January 1917, Page 2

HEROIC DEED OF GALLANT AUSTRALIAN.

HIS BOMBING EXPLOITS.

“I am very proud of you!” Taking him firmly by the hand after pinning the decoration on his breast the King thus expressed himself to Private John Leak, V.C„ the young Australian soldier who has been serving with the Australian Infantry Brigade. He was one of the four to receive the much coveted honour at Buckingham Palace, and, like the. others, received a tremendous ovation from the crowd gathered outside a s he left the Palace wearing the medal which the King only a few moments before had pinned to his breast The King presented decorations in all to 91 naval and military officers and men and eight nurses. Private Leak, whose mother is a native of Cardiff, was met in London the previous evening by Mr W. T. Chapman, of Cardiff, who is a Prime of the Clarence Lodge of the K.A.0.8., of which Order Private Leak is a member. Mr Chapman has taken a keen interest in Private Leak, and has assisted him to get in touch with various relatives in South Wales. He made a special journey to London in order to accompany the young Australian to Buckingham Palace. Mu Chapman was, of course, unable to accompany Private Leak into the Koyal presence. The proceedings before the King so far as Private Leak was concerned, were of an interesting nature, the King evincing a great interest in the man and his story. For Private Leak looked extremely boyish, and certainly his appearance was not such as to occasion any expectation , that ho could perform such stirring ( deeds of valour as he had accomplished in the great battle of the Somme. The Minister in attendance upon his Majesty then read the story of Private Leak’s wonderful exploits in the following term*; — “The V.C. awarded to Private John Leak, of the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade, for his most conspicuous bravery on July 23 at Podicros in the battle of the Somme. He was one of tlie party which finally captured an enemy strong point. At one o 'clock, when the enemy ’s bombs were outranging ours. Private Leak jumped out of {lie trench, ran forward under heavy machine-gun fire at close range, and threw three bombs into the enemy’s bombing post. He then jumped into the trench and buyonottod three unwounded enemy bombers. Later, when the enemy in overwhelming numbers was driving his party back, he was always the last to withdraw at each stage, and kept on throwing bombs. His courage and energy had such an effect on the enemy that on the arrival of reinforcements the whole trench was recaptured. ’ ’ The King was greatly impressed by this story, and said: “1 wish you to accept my hearty congratulations upon having won this great honour, and my appreciation of the gallantry of the achievement for which it was awarded. I hope that you may live long to wear the honour you have received.”