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Ernest Kirkham LEIGH

Main CPGW Record

Surname: LEIGH

Forename(s): Ernest Kirkham

Place of Birth: Darwen, Lancashire

Service No: 20/188

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Cheshire Regiment

Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion

Division: 19th (Western) Division

Age: 24

Date of Death: 1916-07-28

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: XV. A. 3.

CWGC Cemetery: CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Ernest Kirkham Leigh was the son of John and Betsy Leigh, née Kirkham. Both parents were born at Darwen, Lancashire.

1901 Darwen, Lancashire Census: 13, Brook Street - Ernest K. Leigh, aged 8 years, born Darwen, son of John and Betsy Leigh.

1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 8, Ashgrove Terrace - Earnest Leigh, aged 18 years, born Darwen, Lancashire, son of John and Betsy Leigh.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ernest K. Leigh, 20/188, West Yorkshire Regiment. K. in A. 29 September 1916.

Ernest was attached to the 9th (Service) Bn Cheshire Regiment at the same time as Private Henry Richard Leeming (20/146) (q.v.).

Ernest's remains were exhumed at map reference: 57d.X.18.a.8.0. and re-buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery.

Although SDGW and Graves Registration Report Form give Ernest's death as 29 July the CWGC gives 28 July.

A short biography of Ernest is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

LEIGH, E.K., aged 23 years, West Yorkshire Regiment (Bradford Pals), and who resided at 8, Ashgrove, Barnoldswick, killed in action in France, July 28, 1916.

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Private Ernest Kirkham LEIGH

Private Ernest Kirkham LEIGH

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Cheshire Regiment

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Cheshire Regiment

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 19th (Western) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 19th (Western) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: LEIGH

Forename(s): Ernest Kirkham

Born: Darwin [sic], Lancs

Residence: Barnoldswick, Yorks

Enlisted: Barnoldswick

Number: 20/188

Rank: Private

Regiment: Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion: 16th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 29/07/16

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: LEIGH

Forename(s): E K

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 20/188

Rank: Private

Regiment: 16th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) attd. 9th Bn. Cheshire Regiment

Unit:

Age: 24

Awards:

Died Date: 28/07/1916

Additional Information: Son of John and Betsy Kirkham Leigh, of 8, Ashgrove Terrace, Barnoldswick, Yorks.

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Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval

Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval

CWGC Headstone

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

11 August 1916

BARNOLDSWICK MAN REPORTED KILLED

A letter from a Non-commissioned Officer has been received by the parents of Pte. E. K. Leigh, 8, Ash Grove, Barnoldswick, stating that their son was killed in action on July 28th. He enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment (Bradford ‘Pals’) in March last, and had only been in France about a month. He was a weaver at Messrs. Holden Bros., Moss Shed, up to joining the Army, and 23 years of age. Pte. Leigh had three brothers serving, one of whom, Lance-Corporal Christopher Leigh, has been awarded the Military Medal.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

11 August 1916

BARNOLDSWICK MAN REPORTED KILLED

A letter from a non-commissioned officer has been received by the parents of Pte. E. K. Leigh, 8, Ash Grove, Barnoldswick, stating that their son was killed in action on July 28th. He enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment (Bradford Pals) in March last, and had only been in France about a month. He was a weaver at Messrs. Holden Bros., Moss Shed, up to joining the Army, and 23 years of age. Pte. Leigh had three brothers serving, one of whom, Lance-Corporal Christopher Leigh, has been awarded the Military Medal.

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