27219 Private Archibald Leal was a 22 year old chauffeur originally from Worthing, Sussex when he attested into the 15th Battalion at Valcartier in September 1914. He served in No. 2 Company at 2nd Ypres in April 1915 and suffered a lower leg injury that saw him evacuated to England for medical treatment at several facilities.
Upon recovery Private Leak was attached to the 17th and 43rd Reserve Battalions before rejoining the 15th Battalion in the Ploegsteert-Hill 60 area in December 1915. On April 28, 1916 while in the front line trenches near Hill 60, he suffered multiple shrapnel wounds in his right leg from a rifle grenade and was evacuated back to England. Despite treatment at several hospitals, Private Leal’s wounds became seriously infected and he died of tetanus at London War Hospital, Epsom on May 10, 1916. He is buried in a family plot in Worthing (Broadwater) Cemetery.
