John Leak Monument

Post

Subscribe

John Leak was Queensland's first winner of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry, during the First World War. He received this award for his extraordinary courage at Pozieres France on 23 July 1916.





Lots of things around his life are still a mystery. When and where he was born is still debated. He was born between 1892 and 1899 with some suggesting he was born in Queensland Australia, the UK or Canada. He was married but his marriage was listed in Cardiff in 1918 as well on 12 January 1927 in Western Australia. All of these issues lead to the problem of tracing his story - although his bravery during WWI is unquestionable.




John Leak enlisted from Rockhampton on 28 January 1915 into the 9th Battalion. He was 23 years old (he declared himself to be 23 years old, and not 19, in his attestation papers) when he embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A55 to the Gallipoli Peninsula on 16 April 1915. A physical expression to honour his service, courage, endurance, and sacrifice can be seen at the on Huish Drive Rockhampton completed in 2012.



There are 4 plaques around this monument on Private John Leak VC, the battle of Pozieres, the Victoria Cross and the symbols on the monument. There are some benches around the monument surrounded by a beautiful garden, dominant with rosemary. Rosemary is believed to improve the memory and has become an emblem of remembrance, symbolising that we will not forget those who have died in war.

Private John Leak VC passed away unexpectedly on 20 October, 1972 in Redwood Park, Adelaide. He was buried in the Stirling Cemetery, just outside Aldgate, in the rural Adelaide Hills region where he had spent much of his life. His grave sits in the middle of a most picturesque and peaceful cemetery.

#child_friendly
#free
#learn_something
#memorials
#near_rockhampton
#outdoor
%wnrockhampton