The Rushden Echo, 22^nd March, 1918

Military Medal for Bravery - Rushden Soldier Honoured
Air-Mechanic G. O. Leeding Displays Coolness Under Shell Fire

  We are gratified to report that Second A.M. George Oscar Leeding, of the Royal Flying Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders Leeding, of 27, Wentworth-road, Rushden, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the field.

  It was during the Cambrai retreat that Second A.M. Leeding won distinction.  He was driving a tender containing eleven men, one of whom had been badly gassed, and owing to the enemy’s heavy fire his water tank and oil tank were blown away and one of the wheels was badly damaged.  In spite of shells, which were bursting all around, Second A.M. Leeding with the utmost coolness carried out his repairs, fitting a new wheel, and there is little doubt but that his presence of mind and bravery saved the lives of the whole party, including his own.  He succeeded in getting his vehicle on the move and in conveying the man who had been gassed to the hospital, but before he reached the point to which he had been ordered it became necessary for the tender to be towed.

Rushdenite's Award for Courage

Rushden will be gratified that yet another of its sons has gained an award for gallantry in the field. Second A.M. George Oscar Leeding, of the R.F.C., son of Mr and Mrs S Leeding, of 27 Wentworth-road, Rushden, is now a Military Medallist. During the Cambrai affair the gallant soldier was driving a tender containing eleven men, when the enemy repeatedly hit the tender doing damage, including the smashing of a wheel. The A.M. under heavy fire, coolly completed repairs and got the men and vehicle into safety. He joined up over two years ago, and has been in France eighteen months. Previously he was employed at the late Mr Albert Otkin's garage, Rushden.