kids encyclopedia robot

Nigel Leakey facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Nigel Leakey
MH4038 Nigel Grey Leakey VC, King's African Rifles, awarded the Victoria Cross, Abyssinia, 19 May 1941..jpg
Sergeant Nigel Leakey c. 1941
Born (1913-01-01)1 January 1913
Kiganjo, British East Africa
Died 19 May 1941(1941-05-19) (aged 28)
Kolito, Abyssinia
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Sergeant
Unit King's African Rifles
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards Victoria Cross
Relations Rea Leakey (brother)
David Leakey (nephew)
Louis Leakey (cousin)
Joshua Leakey VC (distant cousin)

Nigel Gray Leakey (born January 1, 1913 – died May 19, 1941) was a very brave British soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage given to soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth. It's given for amazing bravery when facing the enemy.

Early Life and Family

Nigel Leakey was born in Kiganjo, Kenya. His parents were English. His father, Arundell Gray Leakey, was a farmer in Kenya.

Nigel had famous relatives. He was a cousin of the well-known archaeologists Louis Leakey and Richard Leakey. His younger brother, Rea Leakey, also served in the Second World War and became a major general.

Nigel went to school in Kenya. Later, he studied at Bromsgrove School in England. When the war started in 1939, he joined the Kenya Regiment. After his training, he became part of the King's African Rifles.

His Incredible Bravery

Nigel Leakey was a 28-year-old sergeant in the 1/6th Battalion, King's African Rifles. This was during the Second World War. He showed amazing courage on May 19, 1941, in a place called Kolito in Abyssinia (which is now Ethiopia).

The Allied forces were fighting against strong Italian soldiers. The Italians suddenly attacked with tanks. Sergeant Leakey acted incredibly fast. He jumped onto one of the enemy tanks. He managed to open the top of the tank, called the turret.

Inside, he shot all the tank's crew except for the driver. He then forced the driver to move the tank to a safer spot. This was an incredibly brave and dangerous act.

Nigel then tried to do the same thing with another tank, along with three other soldiers. But as he opened the turret of the second tank, he was sadly killed. His actions caused a lot of confusion and damage to the Italian tanks. This was very important in helping the Allied forces win the battle.

Remembering Nigel Leakey

Nigel Leakey does not have a known grave. However, he is remembered at the East Africa Memorial. This memorial is located near Nairobi, Kenya.

Interestingly, his distant cousin, Joshua Leakey, also received the Victoria Cross. Joshua earned his award for bravery in Afghanistan in 2013.

Nigel Leakey's Victoria Cross medal is kept by a member of the Leakey family in England.


See also

kids search engine
Nigel Leakey Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.