Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Francis Easton Leach (not Leitch) who later became the Commanding Officer of the, 231st Battalion CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) 1916-1917. In this photo he is a major in the dress of the 72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Leach graduated from the Royal Military College. Kingston in 1896 and has since been connected with the Active Militia of Canada. He served with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. He was awarded the Queen's Medal for South Africa with three clasps. After returning to Canada, he was placed the on the Reserve of Officers list, being transferred in April 1914, for active military duties with the 72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in Vancouver. CEF Service File attached. The 231st Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the unit began recruiting in early 1916 in that city and the surrounding district. After sailing to England in April 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 24th Reserve Battalion on April 22, 1917. The 231st Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. F. E. Leach.