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 BookEntry 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
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Cheshire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 19th (Western) Division
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Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval
CWGC Headstone
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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
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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