Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary for today records. During the night the enemy rushed forward his field and heavy guns and in the early morning he opened an intense bombardment of the RED LINE, PEIZIERE and the YELLOW LINE, under a heavy barrage he attacked the RED LINE but was driven off. 10.00am. About this hour news was received that the enemy had captured ST. EMILIE and the southern edge of EPEHY and the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. had been ordered to form a defensive flank on the EPEHY – SAULCOURT ROAD, to combine with this and to cover the right rear of PEIZIERE a second defensive flank facing south was made with every available man from Battalion HQ between YELLOW SUPPORT LINE and CHAUFOURS WOOD. 11.00am. As it was seen that the enemy were entering EPEHY in force from the south the two Tanks were ordered forward to check his advance and if possible clear EPEHY. The enemy retired on seeing their approach, and they report having inflicted heavy casualties. Unfortunately they were running short of petrol and as the engines required repairs they were unable to proceed further and attempting to withdraw to SAULCOURT both were knocked out. 12.00 noon. About this hour orders were received to withdraw the Battalion behind to BROWN LINE and concentrate at LONGAVENES. 12.15pm. Orders were issued for the withdrawal, up to this hour Captain VANNER M.C. was still holding the RED LINE and driving off every attack made on it. After the withdrawal of his Company he waited to superintend the demolition of both bridges over the cutting. This was successfully carried out. The withdrawal of the Battalion and the extrication of the posts in PEIZIERE was a matter of some difficulty as by the time of the receipt of the order by the Companies the enemy was in occupation of EPEHY and firing in from the north. The withdrawal was made under heavy machine gun fire from the south east and north east and a considerable number of casualties were incurred during it. 3.30pm. Battalion reorganised in valley just north of LONGAVESNES and received orders to march to AIZECOURT LE HAUT. 6.00pm. Battalion arrived and went into camp. Men had a hot meal.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 12th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Official intimation has been received that Corporal Wm. Henry Leech, Leicestershire Regiment, who has been missing about four months, is believed killed. Corporal Leech, aged about 37 years, voluntarily enlisted about three years ago. He was a miner at Bagworth Colliery. His wife and two children reside in Bakewell Street, Coalville.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 16th, 1918

Local Casualties

Mrs Leech, of 74, Bakewell Street, Coalville, would be glad to receive news of her son, 15275, Sergeant W. H. Leech, 9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, attached to the 110th Trench Mortar Battery, who has been missing since March 21st or 22nd, 1918.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 19th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Leech – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Corporal William Henry Leech, who was killed somewhere in France, 22nd March, 1918.

“Days of sadness still come o’er us,
Tears of sorrow often flow,
Memory keeps our loved ones near us,
Whom God called two years ago,
Some day we hope to meet him,
Some day, we know not when.
To clasp his hand in the Better Land,
Never to part again.”

From his sorrowing Mother and Brothers.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 12/4/2018