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Information About

Nigel Gray Leakey





DETAILS

Born on . He was 28 years old, and a Sergeant in the 1/6th Bn, King's African Rifles during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

May 19 , 1941 ( World War II ). At Colito , Abyssinia (now Ethiopia ), when the Allied forces had made a Bridgehead against the strong Italian opposition, the enemy made a sudden counterattack with both light and medium Tank s.

In the face of withering fire, Sergeant Leakey leaped on top of one of the tanks, wrenched open the Turret and shot all the crew except the driver, whom he forced to drive the tank to cover. Along with three others, he tried to repeat this with another tank, but just as he opened the turret, he was killed.

The confusion and loss of armour Leakey caused was critical to the Italian defeat in the battle.

Leakey's 1/6th Bn. was part of the 22nd (East African) Brigade ( 12th African Division ).


THE MEDAL

Leakey's medal is kept at the Bromsgrove School in Worcester , in the United Kingdom .


FURTHER INFORMATION

Leakey is named on the East Africa Memorial , near Nairobi , Kenya.


NOTES



REFERENCES

  • C. S. Nicholls, ''Red Strangers: The White Tribe of Kenya'', Timewell Press, 2005, ISBN 1857252063. Online preview available at {Link without Title} in Google Books.



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