Harry LEACH

11 September 1914

ADDINGHAM – A LOCAL COMPANY FORMED – Enthusiastic Scenes

A very enthusiastic and largely attended open-air meeting was held on Saturday evening, presided over by Mr. A.V. Mason, C.C., for the purpose of asking for men willing and able to give their services for the safety and well-being of their country.

Mr. Mason said:–“We are engaged in a life and death struggle with a strong and merciless foe. Thank God, we have a strong fleet, strong enough to protect our shores and keep open the source of our food supplies, but we need a larger army to crush the power of Germany. We want young men to join the Army, to fight for their country.” Married men could be perfectly sure that their wives and families will be well looked after. Messrs. Lister and Co. had offered to keep open the place of any man who volunteered and take him back at the same wages.

Captain Mercer, who gave a splendid address, reminded them that our army was suffering loss, and men were wanted to take their places. He had served his country 48 years; therefore he was entitled to stand aside for younger men. Yet when his country needed him he was ready to say “Here am I, take me.” If it had not been for our Navy where should we have been now? We should have been where the Belgians are to-day. If German troops were to land here what would they do? They would drive our women and children before them, just as they had done in Belgium. Savages would not treat their prisoners worse than the Germans had done. He believed all the German Army had been located except three corps, which he thought were in readiness to invade this country if by any chance the German Fleet were to be successful or we were to suffer any great damage through floating mines. He had every confidence in our Navy, although it had not been in battle for a great number of years. We wanted young men to rise as one man, to be ready to fight for their country’s sake. It was the men of the country who alone can fight their country’s battles. “Join the Army now and fight for your freedom” (applause).

Mr. F.H. Humphray, J.P., said 153 men had been sworn in and he hoped he would be busy that night and every night; he did not mind if he sat all night.

Captain T.H.S. Tee also spoke, exhorting the young men to join the Army and defend their country’s honour. He announced that the company would be called the Ilkley and Addingham Company, and as far as possible the men would be placed where they wished.

The Ilkley recruits sworn in marched to Addingham, accompanied by the Ilkley Brass Band, and all attended the meeting, after which hearty cheers were given as the men came up to join. Twenty-one recruits were sworn in on Saturday; several had been sworn in earlier at Ilkley and a few on Sunday and Monday. The following is a list of men from Addingham and Bolton Abbey who have gallantly joined the army:–

Addingham–Corporal Hy. Horsman, F. Burke, W. Hall, C. Moulding, H. Spencer, H. Leech [Leach], G. Thompson, J. Hargreaves, R. Townson, F. Hartley, A. Wade, H. Wade, G. Bailey, F. Chaplin, W.H. Young, J. Lister, J.W. Fisher, F. Fisher, W. Spenceley, W. Wroe, C. Fisher, H. Tunnicliffe, J. Kettlewell, W. Waggott [Waggitt].

Bolton Abbey–N. Nelson, C. Binns, J. Mitchell, G. Robinson, W. Nelson, E. Woolston, J.T. Roberts, A. Nelson.

On Monday the streets of the village reminded one of the now defunct Club Feast (which, singularly enough, would have been on that day), as they were crowded with people. All traffic was held up, the reason being that the Addingham contingent were lined up in readiness to fall in with the full company on their way to Halifax via Keighley. It was about 4.15 when the strains of ‘Off to Tipperary’ were heard in the distance, and very soon the company of recruits for Lord Kitchener’s Army came in sight. A halt was called for refreshments and to take up the Addingham men. It was very pleasing to see such a fine sample of manhood all enrolled in their country’s call. Ilkley Brass Band headed the company from Ilkley to the outskirts of the village.

17 March 1916

LEACH – Died from wounds received in France on March 2nd, Harry Leach, aged 38 years, of Druggist Lane, Addingham.

17 March 1916

ADDINGHAM'S FIRST KITCHENER MAN KILLED

We regret to announce that another Addingham man was wounded, and eventually died of his wounds, as the result of the taking of the German trenches on March 2nd. The unfortunate man was Private H. Leach, who, previous to the war, was employed by Messrs. J. Green and Sons, Bolton Abbey. He was the first Addingham man to enlist in Kitchener’s Army in September, 1914. Pte. Leach, who served through the South African War, was 38 years of age, and leaves a widow and four children.

The following letter from Sergt. J.W. Fisher has been received:– “It is with deepest regret I convey to you the news of the sad death of your dear husband, and send my deepest sympathy in this your hour of trouble. He died the day after receiving his wound, but I can truthfully say he died not suffering. He died doing his duty for the love of his home, King and country. Life here is so uncertain that death comes as a matter of course, but when it is one who is so near to you it makes you wonder who will be next. I am sure you will always know, and I will make it clear to you, that he did not suffer at all. Once again, hoping you will accept deepest sympathy.”

Sergt. W. Fisher also writes to Mrs. Townson, whose husband’s death we reported last week, as follows:– “I am trying to write you a few words of sympathy, although I hardly know how to express my deep sympathy for you in the loss of your dear husband. I do not know whether you have had the news broken to you or not, but I thought it was my duty to let you know that he was killed instantly and suffered no pain. It happened on the 2nd March, amongst a lot of others, and I know exactly where he was buried, and you can believe me he was put away in a very respectable manner. I hope you will try and bear your loss in the spirit that you know he did his duty when England called for help, an he died as a true soldier for the love of those he left at home and the freedom of his King ant Country. Once again, hoping you will accept my deepest sympathy.”

31 March 1916

ADDINGHAM – A MAJOR’S APPRECIATION

Mrs. Leach has received the following letter respecting the death of her husband.

Transport Training Depot, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

“Dear Madam, – “I was very much distressed to hear of the death of your husband at the front. He was a brave unostentatious man who knew where his duty lay. I shall never forget the prompt and ready way he responded to my call for recruits from Addingham, and I quite realise that the astoundingly large numbers of men this place, Addingham, has furnished for the colours was, so far as the West Riding Regiment is concerned, due to the example set by your husband in coming forward so cheerfully.

“Please accept my deepest sympathy.

“Yours very sincerely, E.E. LANSDALE, Major”

12 May 1916

ADDINGHAM – DEATH OF PRIVATE FRED FISHER

We regret to announce the death of Pte. Fred Fisher on May 5th from wounds received in action in France. Mr. and Mrs. T. Fisher, of 20, Bolton Road, received a telegram on Friday last from the Infantry Record Office, York, informing them that their son, Pte. F. Fisher, of the 9th West Riding Regiment, had been seriously wounded by gunshot in the head and could not be visited. On Tuesday morning they received a letter from the Sister-in-Charge of Ward iv, No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne, in which she said:– “I am very sorry to have to send you very sad news about your son, who is in Ward iv, 13. He is badly wounded and in a very critical condition. He is conscious and sends his love to you. Everything is being done for him that can possibly be done.”

By the same post official information came stating that he had died on May 5th in hospital from the effects of his wounds.

Pte. Fisher was only 21 years of age and joined Kitchener’s Army with the first batch of Addingham recruits in September 1914. Previous to the war he was employed at J. Frean & Sons, Bolton Abbey. He was a member of the Ilkley Rugby Football Team. He has two brothers in the Army – George, who was in the regular army, and Sergeant J. W. Fisher, who joined the same time as Fred. A younger brother has just gone into training. Pte. Leach, who was killed recently, was his uncle.

02 March 1917

LEACH – In loving memory of our dear brother, Harry Leach, killed in action March 2nd, 1916.

One year has gone and still we miss him,
Some might think the wound is healed;
But they little know the sorrow
Deep within our hearts concealed.

From his dear Sisters.

01 March 1918

LEACH – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Harry Leach, of Addingham, killed in France, March 2nd, 1916.

In a foreign grave far far away
Our dear brother is laid to rest,
But we hope his soul is in that bright land
Where he will be for ever blest.

From his Sisters Kate, Lily and Pollie.

28 February 1919

LEACH – In loving memory of our dear brother Private Harry Leach, Addingham, who was killed in France, March 2nd, 1916.

No man can call him a failure,
No glory on earth can enhance
That Cross made of wood just above him,
That Cross he has died for in France.

From his dear Sisters at Silsden.