William Henry Leyman

Bill was awarded the Defence Medal at stand down. Grandson Mike recalls :"As a kid looking for medals I asked my Grandad if he was in the Army and he said no. I said that Dad always said he was Home Guard and he said that he was Auxiliary, I didn't know what that was and he said like the Home Guard. That was about all he ever said. I did ask if he had any medals and he said no. He never talked about it again. My Dad always said he was invalided out of the Navy for flat feet and joined as soon as the Home Guard was formed and stay until disbandment. In his possessions when he died was a small badge ,which unfortunately had no significance at the time and wasn't kept, a leather web belt and a leather jerkin."

He served in the Royal Navy in World War 1. Joining 11th October 1914 and serving until 1st October 1919 he is recorded as 5 foot 3 inches with brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He served at The Battle of Jutland as Officer's Steward 2nd Class.

In 1939 he was a painter and decorator.