Joseph Francis Leech was the son of Joseph Thomas and Abigail Leech, of Wigan, Lancashire. He enlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.
Driver Leech was posted to 253 (Airborne) Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).
Driver Leech was one of two Despatchers in the crew of RAF 190 Squadron, Stirling LJ-829, based at Fairford. The aircraft crashed between Van der Molenallee and W. A. Scholtenlaan, north west of Reigersberg, in Doorwerth at about 18.35 hours. There were no survivors. The nine crew members were given a field burial next to the aircraft. Dvr Leech was killed in action on 20 September, 1944, aged 22, and was re-interred to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 30 October 1945.
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By Rod Gibson
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