Boy Messenger Neil Leitch died of injuries received delivering a message on March the 13th, 1941.
Special mention must be made of the part played by Boy Messenger Neil Leitch. A part time
volunteer, he immediately reported for duty on his bicycle on the receipt of the
"alert." He dashed from his home without wishing his family good bye, and
reported to Partick Fire Station.
Shortly afterwards, he volunteered to accompany a senior officer of the Fire Service to
the Hyndland district.
This officer sent him with a message for assistance. Although Boy Messenger Neil Leitch,
who was only 16 years of age, was thrown from his bicycle on more than one occasion by the
effects of blast, whilst endeavouring to reach Partick Fire Station, he managed to deliver
his message.
On one occasion, he was so badly injured that he was carried into a first aid dressing
station. After the minimum amount of attention, he insisted upon proceeding with his
message, contrary to the advice of the ambulance officers.
He informed them that he must get this message through, as it was very important, and in
spite of his injuries, continued on his way to Partick Fire Station. Just before he
reached the Station, it was hit by a high explosive oil bomb and he received further
injuries. Despite this, he heroically carried on and finally delivered the message.
Messenger Leitch subsequently succumbed to his injuries. In recognition of his heroic
conduct, the Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow, Sir Patrick Dollan, and the members of
the Fire Service, erected a Celtic Cross over his grave at Dalbeth Cemetery.
(From Clydeside's Ordeal by Fire by Martin Chadwick.)
LEITCH, NEIL
Messenger, A.F.S.; of 21 Hayburn Crescent. Son of James Donald and Rebecca
Leitch. Injured 13 March 1941, at Sandy Road; died at Western Infirmary.
Posthumous Commendation by H.M. the King for brave conduct in Civil Defence. Age
15. Died 14 March 1941.
(CWGC WEB Site)