Parish of Leatherhead - Tony Leach MBE

Tony Leach Up to the day of his death, aged 93, Tony's mind was as sharp and his smile as welcoming as it had always been, in spite of increasing frailty. He and Jill came to live in Leatherhead in 1951 and he played an important part in the life of the Parish Church. Twice Church Warden, under Kenneth Ball and then Sandy Morris, he continued to be a wise and conciliating voice on the PCC for many years of unstinting service.

At Oxford in the Thirties, he had been a "running Blue" as well as obtaining a first class degree, but he chose to work for the Workers Educational Association and as a social worker in the North of England, which was still suffering from the Depression.

In 1939 he joined the Coldstream Guards, and had a varied wartime career, ending as a Major in charge of the administration of liberated Trieste. After the war he joined the Education Department of Surrey County Council and made his mark in the development of Further Education throughout the County, for which he was awarded the MBE.

In retirement, Tony, in his quiet way, and always backed by Jill, was able to go on serving the Church and the community, and was for some years Chairman of Victoria House, the Home for the Disabled. In their own home they entertained their many friends and family from around the world, including visitors from Prideaux House in Hackney. In recent years they had no longer been able to attend Church services, but they always stayed involved and committed.

We miss him, and extend our sympathy to Jill, and to their children, Robert, John and Jane, and the grandchildren.
Christine Bryant, writing in the April 2006 Parish magazine
Photos: Jill Leach

Tony's funeral took place on 29 March 2006: if you would like to add to this appreciation page with your own memories of Tony or further photos, please contact the website editor.

If you have more photos of Tony or further remembrance to add, please contact Frank Haslam, the editor of these pages.