Frank Leslie Leach, Jr.
48 FROM LOCAL BOARD LEAVE FOR ARMY-NAVY DUTY
FORTY-ONE SELECTEES AND SEVEN VOLUNTEERS BEGIN ACTIVE DUTY
Forty-eight men, which included seven volunteers, left last week for active duty in the army and navy following their seven-day furlough after being inducted into the service at Fort Benjamin Harrison.The local board has begun examination and reclassification of men without dependents who were married before the United States entered the war, according to Peter F. Hein, chairman of the board. Those who are not in "essential" work and without dependents are being examined first while those without dependents in "essential" work will be examined next.
Men with children and who are not in "essential" work will be examined when all available men in the first two groups are taken.
This January 11, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:
PFC. FRANK LEACH KILLED IN ACTION ON FRENCH FRONT
Message from the War Department States That His Death Occurred December 17
- A message from the War Department last Saturday afternoon informed Mrs. Frank Leach, Jr., of the death of her husband, Pfc. Frank Leach, who was killed in action against the Germans in France on December 17th.
- A member of the infantry, he entered the armed forces in March, 1945, [referenc@lowellpl.lib.in.us's note: Obviously the year is wrong, since this paper came out in Jan. 1945] and had been overseas since October of last year. Before entering the service he was employed at the Globe Siding Products plant in Lowell.
- He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife the former Norma Singleton, his father, Frank Leach, Sr., and three brothers.
This February 8, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 6:
- A boy was born to Mrs. and the late Pfc. Frank Leach, Jan. 31.
A July 19, 1945, Lowell Tribune obituary of Frank Leach, Jr.'s son, Gary Leslie Leach, mentions the following: "His father, Pfc. Frank Leslie Leach, died in action Dec. 17, 1944, and is buried in Nederbaum, France."
This March 8, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4. (Note that the death date here is different from the one given in the other articles.):
- Memorial services for the late Pfc. Frank Leach, who was killed in action while fighting with U.S. forces in France, Dec. 11, 1944, were held at the Church of the Nazarene in Lowell, last Sunday. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Charles D. Ide. A solo was rendered by Mrs. Charles Ide. Following the services, taps were played on the piano by Mel Wilkson.
- A large number of relatives and friends were present for the impressive ceremonies.
This December 16, 1948, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:
Services Held Sunday For Pfc. Frank Leach
- The remains of Pfc. Frank Leach, 20, who died in France on Dec. 17, 1944, of wounds received in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, arrived here last Thursday.
- He was serving with the 30th Infantry, having enlisted in the service on March 25, 1943. He was sent overseas with his regiment in June, 1944.
- He is survived by his father Frank; brothers Clive of Hebron, and Alvin and Joe of Cedar Lake; sisters, Maxine of Hobart, Phyllis of Cedar Lake, Mrs. Neva Rainwater of Cedar Lake, and Mrs. Pearl Burton of Lowell.
- Funeral services, conducted by Rev. E.L. Worley, were held at the Sheets funeral home, Sunday, at 2 p.m. Military services at the grave in Lowell cemetery, were in charge of Lowell Post 101, American Legion.
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