Pte Harry Leigh

• Age: 35
• From: Blackrod, Lancashire
• Regiment: 12TH KINGS
• Died on Friday 23rd August 1918
• Commemorated at: Mont Huon
  Panel Ref: V.D.11A

Harry Leigh was born on 9^th July 1883 in Blackrod, Lancashire (Bolton district), the youngest son of Ebenezer Leigh and Annie (nee Andrew) who married in Congleton, Cheshire in 1874.  He was baptised in Blackrod on 2^nd September 1883.  His father was born in Blackrod, and his mother in Congleton.  They had six children, two of whom died young, leaving four sons:  John, Percy, Charles, and Harry.

In 1891 the family is living at 38 Station Road, Blackrod.  His father is a clerk to the Blackrod Local Board. John, 15, is a clerk in a solicitor’s office, Percy is 13, Charles 8, and Harry is 7.

By 1901 they have moved to Southport and are living at 69 Southbank Road.  His father is a cotton merchant, employer, Charles, 18, is an apprentice accountant, and Harry, 17, is an apprentice electrical engineer.

In 1911 his parents and brother Charles are still at 69 Southbank road.  His father is listed as a retired cotton spinner.  Charles is an incorporated accountant.   Harry is not listed in the home. 

Harry enlisted on 4^th September 1914, as Private 17637, 19^th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, giving his age as 32 years and 61 days (although his age is given as 31 on another page, which is accurate).  He gives his occupation as clerk (another notation states corn merchant). He is described as being 5’ 8 and a quarter inches tall, weighing 142 lbs, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair.  He gives his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father, Ebenezer Leigh, of 69 South Bank Road, Southport.

After training in the UK, Harry shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on the 07^th November 1915.

On 18^th April 1916, whilst behind the lines at the Somme, Harry was deprived of four days’ pay for being ‘deficient of goggles’.

Granted Class I Professional Pay on 4^th September 1916

Granted leave to UK 20-29 August 1917 and rejoined his unit on 4^th September

Harry served with the 19^th Pals battalion until May 1918, when he was transferred to the 13^th Bn K.L.R.

Unfortunately, Harry’s casualty form is barely legible, but it appears he was wounded in action  -

Wounded  (fingers?) 5^th July 1918 to 4^th  Canadian Casualty Clearing Station then he rejoined  his Battalion.

Harry was again wounded in action on 21^st August, and was sent to the Field Ambulance, then to the 3^rd Canadian Clearing Station on 22^nd, and died of his wounds on 23^rd August.  

Harry now rests at Mount Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, Pas de Calais.

From its position, Frevent was a place of some importance on the lines of communication during the First World War. The 43rd Casualty Clearing Station was posted there from April to June 1916, part of the Lucknow Casualty Clearing Station in June, the 6th Stationary Hospital from June 1916 to the end of August 1918, and the 3rd Canadian, 19th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations in the summer of 1918. The great majority of the burials in the cemetery were carried out from these hospitals. St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension was used from March to August 1918 and after the Armistice, one grave of 1915 was brought in from Dennebroeucq. During the Second World War, the greater part of Frevent was destroyed by bombing. An aerial torpedo fell in the cemetery, which is near the railway line, damaging some of the graves, but the Commonwealth plot was not affected. The CEMETERY now contains 210 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 12 Second World War burials, all dating from late May - early June 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force ahead of the German advance. The EXTENSION contains 304 First World War burials.

Harry’s death from wounds was announced in the Liverpool Daily Post on the  02^nd September 1918 among the Southport casualties.

He earned his three medals.  His father received his effects, including a War Gratuity. 

Harry is  commemorated on the following memorials

 Southport Civic Memorial

Christ Church C of E Church, Southport.

We currently have no further information on Harry Leigh. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.