David was born in Melton Hamlet, Ufford in 1884. In 1911 he was living with his parents in Station Road Woodbridge and he was working as a nurseryman. David was conscripted into the army in 1916 and after training joined the 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment in France before being transferred to the 12th Suffolks.  

In March 1918, the 12th Suffolks were based in the Bapaume area and at the start of the German Spring Offensive on the 21st they were on the front line near Mory. On the 22nd the German Army made several attacks forcing the 12th Suffolks to retreat from their positions. The battle continued until the 26th with the German Army forcing the battalion further back. At 8:00pm on the 25th the battalion was evacuated to Ayette and the next day they marched to Bienvillers-au-Bois finally arriving in billets at Sus-St-Leger on 27th March. Here the battalion regrouped and counted their casualties which were extensive; twenty-one officers and three hundred and forty-six other ranks had either been killed, wounded or were missing. David Leggett was one of those killed.

The Woodbridge Reporter and Wickham Market Gazette from the 18th April 1918 reported his death:

“Mr and Mrs Leggett of 2 Station Road Woodbridge have received official notification that their fifth son David was killed in action on 25th March 1918 during the recent great enemy offensive. He was 32 years of age and is the second son they have lost to the war.”

David is remembered on the Arras Memorial and on the Woodbridge War Memorial. For his war service he received the British War and Victory Medals.