John Leak VC (1892 – 20 October 1972) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Born in Portsmouth, England in 1892.[1] He emigrated to Australia when he was young.[2]
He enlisted into the 9th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, on 28 January 1915 in Rockhampton, Queensland. He was 23 years old when, on 16 April 1915, he embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra to Gallipoli.[1]
He was a twenty four years old Private[3] when, on 23 July 1916 at the Battle of Pozières, France, he committed an act of great bravery and heroism for which his was awarded the Victoria Cross.[2]
In 1918 he was wounded, and discharged the next year.
| “ | No. 2053 Pte. John Leak, Aus. Infy.
For most conspicuous bravery. He was one of a party which finally captured an enemy strong point. At one assault, when the enemy's bombs were outranging ours, Private Leak jumped out of the 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 post and bayonetted 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.[4] |
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| Victoria Cross (VC)[5] | |
| 1914-15 Star[5] | |
| British War Medal[5] | |
| Victory Medal (UK)[5] |