John Leak (c. 1892 – 1972) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in battle that could be awarded at that time to a member of the Australian armed forces. Leak enlisted in early 1915, and served with the 9th Battalion during the Gallipoli campaign. Along with his unit, he transferred to the Western Front, where he participated in the Battle of Pozières in July 1916. For his actions on 23 July during this battle he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of Mouquet Farm in August. Suffering from the effects of his service, Leak was convicted of desertion in November 1917, but his sentence was ultimately suspended. In early March 1918 he was gassed, and saw no further combat before the Armistice of 11 November 1918. He returned to Australia and was discharged in 1919. After various jobs, Leak settled in South Australia in 1937 and died in 1972.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leak
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1860:
The Eastbourne manslaughter trial began, which later became an important legal precedent in the United Kingdom for discussions of corporal punishment in schools. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastbourne_manslaughter
1940:
Sumner Welles, U.S. Under Secretary of State, issued a declaration that the U.S. government would not recognize the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic states. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welles_Declaration
1968:
A shootout between police and a Black Power group began in Cleveland, Ohio, sparking three days of rioting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenville_shootout
1995:
Hale–Bopp, one of the most widely observed comets of the 20th century, was independently discovered by astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Hale%E2%80%93Bopp
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
churchical: 1. (Christianity, informal) Pertaining to or characteristic of church; ecclesiastical. 2. (chiefly Jamaican, music) Belonging to a style of Reggae music that reflects a spiritual sensibility. 3. (chiefly Jamaican, Rastafari) Pertaining to the strain of Rastafarian culture that emphasizes a traditional theocracy. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/churchical
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
There are no vital and significant forms of art; there is only art, and precious little of that. --Raymond Chandler https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Raymond_Chandler