Twenty-three members of The Regiment have been awarded the Victoria Cross. They are representative of all ranks and battalions, from Private soldier to Lieutenant Colonel – Regular, Territorial and Wartime.

SECOND LIEUTENANT JAMES LEACH VC

2nd Battalion. Manchester Regiment.
 
London Gazetted on 22nd October, 1914.
Born on 27th July 1892 at North Shields, Northumberland.

Died on 15th August 1958 at Shepherds Bush, London.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads:

After two attempts, on 29th October 1914 near her Festubert, France, to recapture their trench, that had been taken by the enemy, had failed, Second Lieutenant Leach and Sergeant John Hogan and a party of 10 volunteers went to recapture it themselves. With a sudden bayonet attack they took the Germans by surprise. Then working from traverse to traverse, at close quarters and with great bravery, they gradually succeeded in repossessing the trench. They killed eight of the enemy, wounded two and made 16 prisoners.