WO1 ASM Leake

It's with sadness that John Lloyd informs us of the passing of WO1 ASM Leake REME. "Former WO1 Douglas Leake died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich on 3rd November 2012 aged 83. Douglas was born in Goole Yorkshire and joined the army as a boy soldier. He went on to serve in Belguim, Singapore, Malaya and Thailand. He was discharged on 18th May 1969, his military conduct noted as exemplary.

He was serving on Crown when the concrete phase was completed.Ian Matyear has provided pictures of his invention, the Ferrous Gleaner. The Gleaner would appear to be a trolley carrying an electro magnet for clearing wire shards from the runway. Pictured right is a section of a presentation presumably used by ASM Leake, to explain his solution to the problem of metal spikes left by expandite brush operations. The picture below shows the underside electrical components of the Gleaner.The electro magnet seems to have a wheel drum as it's core. Both John and Ian had high regard for WO1 Leake, the consensus of opinion was him being a great boss who everyone, ORs, NCOs and Officers, liked and respected.