| Leggett | Archibald Herbert | | Lieutenant | LEGGETT, ARCHIBALD HERBERT, Lieutenant, was born in 1877, son of Major G E Leggett, late 77th Regiment of Foot. He was educated at Clifton College, and received his first commission in the Royal Scots Fusiliers 15 May 1897. He served as Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1899 to 1902, in the South African War, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 January 1900; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February), and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in the Transvaal, May and June 1900; operations in Natal, March and April 1900; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Frederiekstad (17 to 25 October); operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900, to 31 May 1902; was promoted Captain 25 September 1901, and was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Archibald Herbert Leggett, Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 24 October 1902. Captain Leggett was Instructor, Royal Military Academy, from 1903 to 1907, and served from 1908 to 1910 in Japan, being attached to the British Embassy at Tokyo, 1909 to 1910, serving for six months with the 29th Regiment of Infantry, Imperial Japanese Army, and passing as a 2nd Class Interpreter in Japanese. He was Brigade Major of the Hampshire Infantry Brigade from 1911 to 1913, when he retired from the Service (19 June). He served in the European War from 1915 to 1918, commanding the 5th (Territorial) Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers from 1915 to 1917, and the 156th Infantry Brigade from 1917 to 1919. He was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 12 March 1917]: "Archibald Herbert Leggett, DSO, Reserve of Officers, late Royal Scots Fusiliers. For conspicuous gallantry, coolness and resource when in command of an infantry battalion. He showed exceptional powers of leadership when attacked by the enemy, upon whom he inflicted a severe defeat". He was given the Brevets of Major 3 January 1916, and of Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 918; was created a CMG in 1918; was four times mentioned in Despatches, and was awarded the Russian Order of St Ann, 3rd Class, in 1916. On demobilization, 20 March 1919, he was given the rank of Honorary Brigadier General. Brigadier General A H Leggett married, in 1903, Lilian Rose, eldest daughter of Major J C O'Neal, late Inniskilling Dragoons, and they had two sons and one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince of Wales's Own) West Yorkshire Regiment |
