JOHN PATRICK LEESON
"PADDY"
Private 22398
1st Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment
Died of wounds - 31st July 1917
John Patrick Leeson was known to his friends as "Paddy" (I will also refer to John as "Paddy" throughout this article). The son of Martin and Mary Leeson he was born at Intake, Sheffield on 11th September 1891, one of eight children. Martin Leeson married Mary Ann Flynn in 1875, they were both born in Chesterfield to Irish immigrant parents and followed the Roman Catholic faith.
Martin worked as a coal miner, he worked around the East Midlands coal fields where ever the work was to be had. Martin and Margaret's first son Michael was born in 1876 followed by Martin jnr in 1879. By 1881 the Leeson family were living in Handsworth in Sheffield, Mary's brothers Michael and Bartholomew Flynn were living with them.
The next ten years saw three daughters born to Martin and Mary Leeson; Mary Ellen, Margaret and Catherine and then came John Patrick (Paddy) in 1891, he was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith on 27th December 1892 at the Church of St Marie which can still be found in Sheffield city centre. On the 1891 census the Leeson family were living on Intake Road in the Attercliffe area of Sheffield, Martin and his eldest son Michael worked at the coal mines.
The move to New Whittington....
By 1894 toddler Paddy and his family had moved to live in New Whittington. His two younger sisters were born there; Annie born 1894 and Julia born 1897. The Leeson family was now complete. In 1901 they lived at 138 High Street.
Paddy's elder siblings Michael, Martin, Mary Ellen and Margaret had all left home;
A soldier in the family....
On 9th June 1897 Paddy's brother Michael left the family and enlisted with the York & Lancaster Regiment at Sheffield. Michael was aged 20 years old and had been employed as a coal miner. His service records tell that he was a short fellow at 5ft 3 3/4" and he weighed 118lbs, with a fresh complexion and brown eyes and hair. He had a couple of scars on his forehead and eyebrow.
Michael, Private 4895 found himself in trouble when at Colchester on 28th February 1898 he got into a fight with another soldier named Private Moore. The pair were not on duty and had been playing a game of skittles in the yard when their disagreement had led to a fight. Private Moore was alleged to have bitten Michael's finger during the altercation, which resulted in Michael being on sick leave for a while.
Michael served his full term of nine years with the colours; between December 1898 and November 1904 he was stationed in India. On his return he was transferred to the Army Reserve and discharged on 8th June 1909. Michael returned to his home village and found employment in the coal mines, not long after in 1906 he married Mary Martin.
Martin emigrates....
On 27th November 1897 19 year old Martin sailed from Liverpool on the Campania headed for the United States of America. He arrived at New York on 15th December 1897. Martin most likely went to stay with his Uncle Michael Leeson who had emigrated to the USA in 1885.
Martin married Margaret Cadden on 18th October 1904 in Pringle, Pennsylvania, USA. The couple had three children; Mary, Mark and Margaret.
Mary Ellen does not show on the 1901 census, but her sister Margaret was living in nearby village Middle Handley. She was employed as a general domestic servant for the Marples family.
1911 the eve of war....
Paddy aged 19 years was employed as a labourer at the blast furnace. He lived at 145 Inkerman Place, New Whittington with his parents, paternal grandmother Ann Leeson and his nephew Matthew Gregory (eldest son of Margaret and Percy).
Michael and Mary his wife were living at 7 Duke Street, Sutton in Ashfield, he worked as a coal miner. A young lady named Maggie Martin was living with them, described as Michael's "daughter". She was born around 1895, before Michael and Mary married.
Margaret had married Percy Hayward Gregory in 1907. Percy worked as a drayman and in 1911 the family had moved away from New Whittington to live in Sheffield. They had three sons; Matthew aged 3, John aged 1 and Terrance just a baby at 5 months old. Matthew was staying with his grandparents on census night, as Margaret would also have a 1 year old and a 5 month year old to look after she would need all the help she could get.
Catherine aged 22 was employed as a domestic servant at the Mason's Arms public house in Crookes, Sheffield. Catherine was employed by Fred and Annie Hardwick who ran the drinking establishment.
I have been unable to find Annie on the 1911 census.
Aged 14 years of age, Paddy's youngest sister Julia was in service, working as a general servant to Catholic Priest Patrick Hickey. She lived at St Catherine's Roman Catholic Church, Andover Street, Sheffield.
Martin worked as a coal miner, he worked around the East Midlands coal fields where ever the work was to be had. Martin and Margaret's first son Michael was born in 1876 followed by Martin jnr in 1879. By 1881 the Leeson family were living in Handsworth in Sheffield, Mary's brothers Michael and Bartholomew Flynn were living with them.
The next ten years saw three daughters born to Martin and Mary Leeson; Mary Ellen, Margaret and Catherine and then came John Patrick (Paddy) in 1891, he was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith on 27th December 1892 at the Church of St Marie which can still be found in Sheffield city centre. On the 1891 census the Leeson family were living on Intake Road in the Attercliffe area of Sheffield, Martin and his eldest son Michael worked at the coal mines.
The move to New Whittington....
By 1894 toddler Paddy and his family had moved to live in New Whittington. His two younger sisters were born there; Annie born 1894 and Julia born 1897. The Leeson family was now complete. In 1901 they lived at 138 High Street.
Paddy's elder siblings Michael, Martin, Mary Ellen and Margaret had all left home;
On 9th June 1897 Paddy's brother Michael left the family and enlisted with the York & Lancaster Regiment at Sheffield. Michael was aged 20 years old and had been employed as a coal miner. His service records tell that he was a short fellow at 5ft 3 3/4" and he weighed 118lbs, with a fresh complexion and brown eyes and hair. He had a couple of scars on his forehead and eyebrow.
Michael, Private 4895 found himself in trouble when at Colchester on 28th February 1898 he got into a fight with another soldier named Private Moore. The pair were not on duty and had been playing a game of skittles in the yard when their disagreement had led to a fight. Private Moore was alleged to have bitten Michael's finger during the altercation, which resulted in Michael being on sick leave for a while.
Michael served his full term of nine years with the colours; between December 1898 and November 1904 he was stationed in India. On his return he was transferred to the Army Reserve and discharged on 8th June 1909. Michael returned to his home village and found employment in the coal mines, not long after in 1906 he married Mary Martin.
Martin emigrates....
On 27th November 1897 19 year old Martin sailed from Liverpool on the Campania headed for the United States of America. He arrived at New York on 15th December 1897. Martin most likely went to stay with his Uncle Michael Leeson who had emigrated to the USA in 1885.
Martin married Margaret Cadden on 18th October 1904 in Pringle, Pennsylvania, USA. The couple had three children; Mary, Mark and Margaret.
Mary Ellen does not show on the 1901 census, but her sister Margaret was living in nearby village Middle Handley. She was employed as a general domestic servant for the Marples family.
1911 the eve of war....
Paddy aged 19 years was employed as a labourer at the blast furnace. He lived at 145 Inkerman Place, New Whittington with his parents, paternal grandmother Ann Leeson and his nephew Matthew Gregory (eldest son of Margaret and Percy).
Michael and Mary his wife were living at 7 Duke Street, Sutton in Ashfield, he worked as a coal miner. A young lady named Maggie Martin was living with them, described as Michael's "daughter". She was born around 1895, before Michael and Mary married.
Margaret had married Percy Hayward Gregory in 1907. Percy worked as a drayman and in 1911 the family had moved away from New Whittington to live in Sheffield. They had three sons; Matthew aged 3, John aged 1 and Terrance just a baby at 5 months old. Matthew was staying with his grandparents on census night, as Margaret would also have a 1 year old and a 5 month year old to look after she would need all the help she could get.
Catherine aged 22 was employed as a domestic servant at the Mason's Arms public house in Crookes, Sheffield. Catherine was employed by Fred and Annie Hardwick who ran the drinking establishment.
I have been unable to find Annie on the 1911 census.
Aged 14 years of age, Paddy's youngest sister Julia was in service, working as a general servant to Catholic Priest Patrick Hickey. She lived at St Catherine's Roman Catholic Church, Andover Street, Sheffield.
Paddy's war....
 |
| Medal roll entry - Private John Patrick Leeson www.ancestry.co.uk |
Unfortunately the service records for Paddy have not survived but using medal rolls, medal cards, newspaper reports and war diaries I can piece together some of his service.
Paddy enlisted in the early stages of WW1, he was given the soldier number 22398. Looking at the medal roll entry (above) it appears that he served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment. It is likely that he joined the 2nd battalion when they were stationed locally, at Sheffield. The recruitment officers would visit the neighbouring town of Chesterfield and encourage the young men to enlist, in the war that "would be over by Christmas".
The 2nd battalion were part of the 18th Brigade, 6th Division, on leaving Sheffield they moved on to Cambridge before embarking for St Nazaire, France in September 1914. On arriving in France the battalion were launched straight into action when they fought at the First Battle of Aisne in September 1914. Fellow soldier Arthur Mitchell from New Whittington served with the 2nd battalion and lost his life on 20th October 1914.
From there they moved north and up into the Ypres area of Belgium, where they remained for just over a year. In the summer months of 1915 the battalion took part in the fighting at Hooge. According to the medal card for Paddy, he entered the "theatre of war" (France) on 17th August 1915. He would join a war weary battalion who had witnessed first hand the horrors of this war.
After thirteen months in Belgium the men were moved back into France, to the area known as the Somme. On 5th August 1916 the battalion took over the trenches at Beaumont Hamel. The war diary notes "trenches seem to be in quite a good condition, but a great number of British dead are lying both in front and behind our own trenches. The hot weather has made them smell rather unpleasant". The diary writes that the men buried many bodies during the days ahead.
Paddy was injured whilst serving with the 2nd battalion, he was wounded in his shoulder during 1916. If Paddy was in trenches at the time then he would be sent to a casualty clearing station where his immediate care would be given, the wound would be cleaned and dressed. He would then be transported either by horse drawn carriage or motor vehicle to the nearest hospital. From then a decision would be made as to the severity of the wound and its effect on the man's ability to serve as an efficient soldier. Paddy was returned to the UK where he remained for 12 weeks, for rest and recuperation before being deemed fit for active service once more.
1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters....
It is not known when exactly Paddy returned to join the B.E.F in France or when he was transferred to the 1st battalion. In June 1917 the men of the 1st battalion found themselves moving away from the familiar territory of the Somme across the French/Belgium border, on 15th June they arrived in Ypres.
The camp at Ypres came under heavy enemy shelling and so on 21st June it was moved to Linde Goed Farm near Busseboom. The battalion were marched from camp to camp in July, being shelled and attacked by the enemy as they went forth. In mid July they were in billets at Beaumetz Les Aire, where they began instruction and practise in attack, including lectures on bayonet fighting.
On 18th July Sir Douglas Haigh was present and watched the operations, the battalion must have been aware that there was an air of impending action about to come their way. Morale would be boosted and spirits would no doubt be high as the men trained to their best abilities for the fight of their lives. The Officers and N.C.O's were all shown a large picture map of the land which was to be their future battlefield, possible concerns were discussed at length between the Officers.
On 21st July the training was over and the men were route marched to St Hillaire and then on to Liller where they entrained to Abeele. From there the battalion were billeted and slept under canvas at Reninghelst. The coming days were spent in preparation; Officers had more meetings, they even had a group photograph taken. The ordinary ranks were now also sent along to view the large picture map. A service was held which was officiated by the Arch Bishop of York, the men's spiritual well being was most important for morale. During the evenings men carried the gas shells up onto the waiting positions in anticipation for coming events. The weather was fine.
During the next couple of days more equipment was issued to the men, the large map was revisited and lectures were given. On one evening several of the men from each corps were taken and questioned by the C.O. The men must be fully knowledgeable on the lay of the land and the instructions for the upcoming attack.
At 9.30pm on the night of 28th July 1917 the battalion set of, leaving the camp to a position known as "Halfway House". Each company set off 200 yards behind the preceding company. The men marched into the night and into the unknown. The journey was a hot one, the weather was fine, enemy fire was constant and gas shells were also used upon the battalion. Once at the dugout they shared this position with the Scottish Rifle Brigade, however the area was too crowded and the Sherwood Foresters split away from each other by company into different areas.
Paddy enlisted in the early stages of WW1, he was given the soldier number 22398. Looking at the medal roll entry (above) it appears that he served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment. It is likely that he joined the 2nd battalion when they were stationed locally, at Sheffield. The recruitment officers would visit the neighbouring town of Chesterfield and encourage the young men to enlist, in the war that "would be over by Christmas".
The 2nd battalion were part of the 18th Brigade, 6th Division, on leaving Sheffield they moved on to Cambridge before embarking for St Nazaire, France in September 1914. On arriving in France the battalion were launched straight into action when they fought at the First Battle of Aisne in September 1914. Fellow soldier Arthur Mitchell from New Whittington served with the 2nd battalion and lost his life on 20th October 1914.
From there they moved north and up into the Ypres area of Belgium, where they remained for just over a year. In the summer months of 1915 the battalion took part in the fighting at Hooge. According to the medal card for Paddy, he entered the "theatre of war" (France) on 17th August 1915. He would join a war weary battalion who had witnessed first hand the horrors of this war.
After thirteen months in Belgium the men were moved back into France, to the area known as the Somme. On 5th August 1916 the battalion took over the trenches at Beaumont Hamel. The war diary notes "trenches seem to be in quite a good condition, but a great number of British dead are lying both in front and behind our own trenches. The hot weather has made them smell rather unpleasant". The diary writes that the men buried many bodies during the days ahead.
Paddy was injured whilst serving with the 2nd battalion, he was wounded in his shoulder during 1916. If Paddy was in trenches at the time then he would be sent to a casualty clearing station where his immediate care would be given, the wound would be cleaned and dressed. He would then be transported either by horse drawn carriage or motor vehicle to the nearest hospital. From then a decision would be made as to the severity of the wound and its effect on the man's ability to serve as an efficient soldier. Paddy was returned to the UK where he remained for 12 weeks, for rest and recuperation before being deemed fit for active service once more.
1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters....
It is not known when exactly Paddy returned to join the B.E.F in France or when he was transferred to the 1st battalion. In June 1917 the men of the 1st battalion found themselves moving away from the familiar territory of the Somme across the French/Belgium border, on 15th June they arrived in Ypres.
The camp at Ypres came under heavy enemy shelling and so on 21st June it was moved to Linde Goed Farm near Busseboom. The battalion were marched from camp to camp in July, being shelled and attacked by the enemy as they went forth. In mid July they were in billets at Beaumetz Les Aire, where they began instruction and practise in attack, including lectures on bayonet fighting.
On 18th July Sir Douglas Haigh was present and watched the operations, the battalion must have been aware that there was an air of impending action about to come their way. Morale would be boosted and spirits would no doubt be high as the men trained to their best abilities for the fight of their lives. The Officers and N.C.O's were all shown a large picture map of the land which was to be their future battlefield, possible concerns were discussed at length between the Officers.
On 21st July the training was over and the men were route marched to St Hillaire and then on to Liller where they entrained to Abeele. From there the battalion were billeted and slept under canvas at Reninghelst. The coming days were spent in preparation; Officers had more meetings, they even had a group photograph taken. The ordinary ranks were now also sent along to view the large picture map. A service was held which was officiated by the Arch Bishop of York, the men's spiritual well being was most important for morale. During the evenings men carried the gas shells up onto the waiting positions in anticipation for coming events. The weather was fine.
On the evening of 24th July Paddy and his comrades marched to Halifax Camp. The weather changed, it was a very wet day. The men were given a special treat when the 17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters came to join them for tea on 25th July. A fellow New Whittington lad named David Cresswell was serving with the 17th Battalion, maybe the men met up for a few words and exchange of family news that night?
During the next couple of days more equipment was issued to the men, the large map was revisited and lectures were given. On one evening several of the men from each corps were taken and questioned by the C.O. The men must be fully knowledgeable on the lay of the land and the instructions for the upcoming attack.
At 9.30pm on the night of 28th July 1917 the battalion set of, leaving the camp to a position known as "Halfway House". Each company set off 200 yards behind the preceding company. The men marched into the night and into the unknown. The journey was a hot one, the weather was fine, enemy fire was constant and gas shells were also used upon the battalion. Once at the dugout they shared this position with the Scottish Rifle Brigade, however the area was too crowded and the Sherwood Foresters split away from each other by company into different areas.
The day of the 30th July was spent resting, around 10pm that night the battalion's companies rejoined in the assembly trenches, in their positions just behind the Northamptonshire Regiment. They then waited "for Zero hour the following morning". Each man no doubt in his own place for those final hours, thinking of the past and trying so hard not to think of his future and the fate that was to follow.
Zero day....
31st July 1917 the war diary reads
"This was Zero Day. The hour for the attack was 3.50am. The barrage started at 3.50am and the attack commenced at 4am. The Battalion moved forward in artillery formation and passed on the right (sic) BELLEWAARDE LAKE to their forming up position, under cover of the ridge".
Private John Patrick Leeson was killed in action on 31st July 1917, the day which would signify the first day of the bloody, muddy battle known as Passchendaele.
The CWGC list that 80 members of the 1st Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment lost their lives on that same day.
John P Leeson was buried at the Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium; grave reference; cem 2, mem 6. His grave is marked simply with the sign of the cross, no other inscriptions were added by John's family.
The original burial place for Private Leeson was destroyed in later battles, his body was exhumed and relocated.
A memorial was erected and reads;
"To the memory of these four British soldiers,
The CWGC list that 80 members of the 1st Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment lost their lives on that same day.
John P Leeson was buried at the Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium; grave reference; cem 2, mem 6. His grave is marked simply with the sign of the cross, no other inscriptions were added by John's family.
The original burial place for Private Leeson was destroyed in later battles, his body was exhumed and relocated.
A memorial was erected and reads;
"To the memory of these four British soldiers,
killed in action in 1917,
and buried at the time in BIRR CROSS ROADS
CEMETERY NO2
CEMETERY NO2
whose graves were destroyed in later battles.
"THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT"
Private 22398 John Patrick (Paddy) Leeson was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star Medals for his service.
Paddy was remembered in the Derbyshire Times 6th October 1917 page 4, along with a photograph the obituary read....
Life went on....
Mary & Martin Leeson lived on into their 70's; Mary died in 1933 aged 76 and Martin the year later in 1934 aged 78 years. At some time in between 1911 and 1917 they moved home to live at 19 Station Lane.
Mary and Martin had a tremendously difficult life, one full of heartache; they lived to see at least six of their children die before them. How terribly sad this must have been for this couple.
Michael may have died in 1915 and his wife Mary in 1919, however this has not been confirmed.
Martin and his family remained in the USA. Martin died in Chicago, Illinois on 10th June 1922. He was buried back in his home town of Pringle, Pennsylvania at the Saint Ignatius Catholic Church Cemetery.
Mary Ellen I have not found any information on Mary, anyone who can add to her story please do let me know.
Margaret and her husband Percy Gregory had three more children; Catherine, Margaret and Mary Ellen. Percy died in 1935 aged 49 years. In 1939 Margaret was living at 191 Duke Street in Sheffield with her daughter Mary Ellen. She died aged 83 years old in 1967.
Catherine married Tom Collins in 1915. The couple named their first child Patrick in 1916, no doubt named after his brave Uncle Paddy. Heartache followed though, when baby Patrick died aged under 1 year old, he died before his Uncle Paddy.
Catherine died in 1918, at the young age of 30 years. It looks likely that she died in childbirth as a daughter Kathleen also died around the same time.
Tom was the brother of John Collins who is also named on the St Barnabas War Memorial. For Catherine and Tom the war took a devastating turn when each lost their own brothers on the same day: John "Paddy" Leeson and John Collins, both men served with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters.
Annie married Bertie Griffin at Chesterfield Registry Office in the year 1913. The couple had at least eight children; Evelyn, Harry, Annie, John Douglas, Lawrence, Donald and Sheila.
In 1939 the Griffin family were living at 35 Tapton View Road, Stonegravels. Bertie worked as a colliery washerman. Annie was widowed in 1947, she lived on and died in 1973 aged 79 years old.
Julia died in 1914 aged just 17 years of age. A family member I made contact with tells me that Julia died in the Chesterfield Union Workhouse.
With special thanks to Pat for all her additional information that she added to this story.
If you may be connected to this family or have any further information on John Patrick Leeson or his family please do either leave comments via the pen icon below or drop me an email.
I hope that I have not given details of living persons, if so please advise and I will remove immediately.
Please note all information has been taken from online indexes and sources. Due to the sheer numbers of people to be researched I am unable to purchase vital event certificates to confirm my research.
Ref and further reading -
Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls www.ancestry.co.uk
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
Newspaper articles - Derbyshire Times 6th October 1917 page 4
CWGC http://www.cwgc.org
War diaries - 2nd Battalion Piece WO 1624/1-5
1st Battalion Piece WO 1721/1-4
1st and 2nd Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/sherwood-foresters-nottinghamshire-derbyshire-regiment/
1st Battle of Aisne https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_the_Aisne
St Marie Roman Catholic Church https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Church_of_St_Marie,_Sheffield
Paddy was remembered in the Derbyshire Times 6th October 1917 page 4, along with a photograph the obituary read....
"The parents of Lance-Corporal* "Paddy" Leeson
of 19 Station Lane, have received official notice
that he was killed on July 31st.
Early in August a letter was sent by a chum of
the deceased soldier saying he saw him wounded
and taken away to a Casualty Clearing Station.
After that no trace of him can be found,
his parents making enquiries from different centres.
The official notice came last week saying he was
killed in action. Pte. Leeson enlisted when war broke out,
and was drafted to France, where he was wounded
in 1916, in the shoulder, and was in hospital
12 weeks in "Blighty". He was sent out again to France
where he had been up to the time of his death.
The deceased soldier was 26 years of age,
and before enlisting worked at Sheepbridge Works.
The parents received a message of sympathy
from his Commanding Officer saying how well he was liked
by Officers and men of his battalion.
*NOTE - The article refer's to Paddy as both Lance-Corporal and
Private Leeson. It is not known whether Paddy was
promoted to Lance-Corporal. His CWGC memorial states Private.
Life went on....
Mary & Martin Leeson lived on into their 70's; Mary died in 1933 aged 76 and Martin the year later in 1934 aged 78 years. At some time in between 1911 and 1917 they moved home to live at 19 Station Lane.
Mary and Martin had a tremendously difficult life, one full of heartache; they lived to see at least six of their children die before them. How terribly sad this must have been for this couple.
Michael may have died in 1915 and his wife Mary in 1919, however this has not been confirmed.
Martin and his family remained in the USA. Martin died in Chicago, Illinois on 10th June 1922. He was buried back in his home town of Pringle, Pennsylvania at the Saint Ignatius Catholic Church Cemetery.
Mary Ellen I have not found any information on Mary, anyone who can add to her story please do let me know.
Margaret and her husband Percy Gregory had three more children; Catherine, Margaret and Mary Ellen. Percy died in 1935 aged 49 years. In 1939 Margaret was living at 191 Duke Street in Sheffield with her daughter Mary Ellen. She died aged 83 years old in 1967.
Catherine married Tom Collins in 1915. The couple named their first child Patrick in 1916, no doubt named after his brave Uncle Paddy. Heartache followed though, when baby Patrick died aged under 1 year old, he died before his Uncle Paddy.
Catherine died in 1918, at the young age of 30 years. It looks likely that she died in childbirth as a daughter Kathleen also died around the same time.
Tom was the brother of John Collins who is also named on the St Barnabas War Memorial. For Catherine and Tom the war took a devastating turn when each lost their own brothers on the same day: John "Paddy" Leeson and John Collins, both men served with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters.
Annie married Bertie Griffin at Chesterfield Registry Office in the year 1913. The couple had at least eight children; Evelyn, Harry, Annie, John Douglas, Lawrence, Donald and Sheila.
In 1939 the Griffin family were living at 35 Tapton View Road, Stonegravels. Bertie worked as a colliery washerman. Annie was widowed in 1947, she lived on and died in 1973 aged 79 years old.
Julia died in 1914 aged just 17 years of age. A family member I made contact with tells me that Julia died in the Chesterfield Union Workhouse.
****
For service on the dates of 31st July and 1st August 1917 the 1st Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment awarded 14 members of the Non Commissioned Officers and Men the Military Medal for their "Gallantry and devotion to duty during operations near Ypres". Also awarded were -
2 x Distinguished Service Orders
1 x Bar to the Military Cross
5 x Military Cross
8 x Distinguished Conduct Medals
****
With special thanks to Pat for all her additional information that she added to this story.
****
With kind thanks to the Derbyshire Times Newspaper
for permission to use the photograph of
John Patrick Leeson in this blog.
****
If you may be connected to this family or have any further information on John Patrick Leeson or his family please do either leave comments via the pen icon below or drop me an email.
I hope that I have not given details of living persons, if so please advise and I will remove immediately.
Please note all information has been taken from online indexes and sources. Due to the sheer numbers of people to be researched I am unable to purchase vital event certificates to confirm my research.
****
Ref and further reading -
Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls www.ancestry.co.uk
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
Newspaper articles - Derbyshire Times 6th October 1917 page 4
CWGC http://www.cwgc.org
War diaries - 2nd Battalion Piece WO 1624/1-5
1st Battalion Piece WO 1721/1-4
1st and 2nd Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/sherwood-foresters-nottinghamshire-derbyshire-regiment/
1st Battle of Aisne https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_the_Aisne
St Marie Roman Catholic Church https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Church_of_St_Marie,_Sheffield
