INDENT Major John Leonard Veitch, M.C., born 1887 in Exeter, educated Exeter School, entered the 7th Devons, 1910; was called up August 1914 and served with the B.E.F. from Christmas of that year; transferred to the 1st Bn. in 1915 and took part in the Battles of the Somme and Vimy Ridge (wounded); served in Italy with his Bn. from December, 1917 and returned to France March, 1918; was awarded the M.C. for his gallantry North West of Merville defending a bridgehead against repeated enemy attack - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He and another Company officer, with their companies, defended a bridgehead against live enemy attacks and an armoured car. Under heavy shelling they displayed courage and skill of a high order and did much valuable service." (London Gazette October, 1918). Captain Veitch was killed in action whilst in temporary command of the Bn. 21 May, 1918, "... he ran into some Germans who had got into the trench. He shot several down with his revolver and was then killed by a bomb..." (Regimental History, Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, Vol. IV refers)