Victor William Leach

He was my great-uncle, the only one in his immediate family to be born in the 20th century.

He was very fond of poetry, and assumed the name of a favourite poet and put his age up when he enlisted in SA. He made out his will, leaving a prayer book and comb to his "friend" ( who was actually his mother). I don't know what prompted him to return to Melbourne to inform his parents what he'd done, but it was fait accompli and they signed statutory declarations to the effect that he had enlisted without their knowledge or consent.

He visited Scotland after doing training in Egypt and picked and dried wildflowers which he posted to my grandmother in Christmas, 1917. I have them still, with the card that enclosed them.

I cannot understand how any Army doctor believed he was 21, as the photo I have of him in uniform shows a lad of very tender years.

My grandmother never fully recovered from his death and her parents, doubtless feeling guilty over their eventual consent to his joining the Army, dealt with grief in alcohol and opium.

Tragic that Victor died not long before the Armistice. His brother Ivan (normally known as "Joe") had urged him to join up, and I dare say that he also felt a load of guilt, as for many years he ran completely wild after returning to Australia.

RIP, little lad.