Background
Leach was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, on 17 July 1928 to John Digby Leach, a First World War veteran and later Commissioner of Main Roads in Western Australia, and his wife Grace Lilian.
Leach was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, on 17 July 1928 to John Digby Leach, a First World War veteran and later Commissioner of Main Roads in Western Australia, and his wife Grace Lilian.
Initially educated at Perth Modern School, Leach entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1942 aged thirteen. Leach commanded the guided missile destroyers HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Perth during the Vietnam War for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969. He was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty Australian Fleet in 1979 and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1982.