Nigel Gray Leakey was a Kenyan 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.

Details

Born on January 1, 1913 in Kiganjo, Kenya, Leakey 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 tanks.

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.

Further information

Leakey is named on the East Africa Memorial, near Nairobi, Kenya. It is not known where he is buried.

The medal

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

Reference

External links

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.