'The Westmorland Gazette’ (20 February 1915)
(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)
LOCAL WAR ITEMS
Writing from Codford, Wilts., to a friend at Sedbergh, Corpl. J.C. Leighton, 8th Battalion Border Regiment, speaks of the great change effected at Codford, which he thinks will be kept as a permanent camping-ground judging from the extensive erection of huts and electrical fittings. Corpl. Leighton, who is a well-known runner, says they have a Harriers’ Club, and he is in better form than ever he was in his life before. Recently he covered four miles in 24 minutes, and had entered for the seven miles’ scratch race at Bournemouth, but was prevented from taking part by reason of the event being decided on the day of their inspection. There were 136 entries, the race being open to the whole of Kitchener’s Army, and 24 prizes. The winner’s time was 42 mins.
‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (5 August 1916)
(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)
SEDBERGH – KILLED
LEIGHTON, Corpl. John Charles, Border Regt., killed in action. He was in the old Territorials, joined the Army immediately after the outbreak of hostilities, and had been out on the western front for many months. A young man of 34, Corpl. J.C. Leighton had the affectionate respect of all who knew him. He was a successful athlete and a useful playing member of the Sedbergh Wanderers F.C. for some years. He leaves a widow and a young son.
‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (12 August 1916)
(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)
LEIGHTON – In loving memory of Corpl. J.C. Leighton (Chorley), of the 8th Border Regt., killed in action in France 14th or 15th July, 1916, aged 34 years, beloved husband of Madge Leighton, Sedbergh.
His country called, he answered bravely.
‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (19 August 1916)
(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)
MEMORIAL SERVICES – SEDBERGH
With the Union Jack flying at half-mast, and the organist (Miss Boustead) playing ‘O rest in the Lord,’ a large number of the parishioners of Sedbergh, of all denominations, assembled in the Parish Church on Thursday evening last week to take part in the services held in memory of two local men belonging to the Border Regiment – Corporal John Charles Leighton, aged 34 years, and Pvt. Joseph Charles Bateman, aged 22 years – who had been killed in the recent fighting ‘somewhere in France.’ The officiating clergy were the Rev. A. Holloway Walker, vicar, and the Rev. H.F. Donaldson-Selby. Part of the choir was in attendance, and Psalm cxxx, was sung. The vicar read the lesson, and then the choir and congregation sang the hymns ‘Nearer, my God to Thee’ and Fight the good fight.’ In the course of an appropriate address, the vicar said they had met to pay a tribute which they knew was fitting and proper to the memory of two Sedbergh men who had paid the great toll and offered the supreme sacrifice of their lives for their country. He felt it would be somewhat presumptuous of him to dare to extol the nobility of their sacrifice. It was a thing they all realised, and, if they were true Englishmen, valued and appreciated. After quoting the words of the brave Primate of Belgium, Cardinal Mercier, to the effect that the soldier who fought to save his brother reached the highest of all degrees of charity, the vicar said they need have no fear for them who had gone. They had passed through death into a greater, nobler, higher and more perfect life than ever could have been theirs or ours here. It was only because they were Christians that they could face the horror and bloodshed of that terrible war. They had, as Christians, the great hope in death of a nobler life, and they believed that they who had lost those who were near to them would see them again when they passed in their turn to the Great Beyond. So for those lying in the far land of France they need have no fear. They had been reverently buried, their graves were carefully marked and would be tended at the expense of the country. It was always hardest for those who were left in their pain and grief, trouble and anxiety, and they prayed that God in His mercy would support, comfort, and sustain those now so heavily afflicted. The congregation stood as the organist played the ‘Dead March.’
‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (1 June 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)
SEDBERGH – CONSERVATIVE CLUB
The annual meeting was held on Wednesday night, Mr. C.W. Gooch in the chair. – The financial statement showed that the past year started with a credit balance of £9 14s. 4d., and this had increased to £33 9s. 11d. In his report of the year’s working, Mr. G. Hall, the hon. secretary, referred to the loss of five members – Corpl. J.C. Leighton, Pte. J.C. Bateman, and Pte. H. Clemmet, killed in action; F,C. Bushby, died in hospital, and Pte. Herbert Park, drowned in the Mediterranean. He hoped the club would raise a permanent memorial to these men. He also read a letter from Mr. Walter Morrison, accompanying his annual subscription, and urging the members to keep the club going …
'The Westmorland Gazette' (13 July 1918)
(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)
LEIGHTON – In loving memory of Corpl. J.C. Leighton (Charlie), Border Regt., who fell in action between 14th and 15th July, 1916, beloved husband of Madge Leighton, Sedbergh.
His country called, he answered bravely.
BRITISH BATTALIONS ON THE SOMME, by Ray Westlake (Pen & Sword Books Limited 1994)
8th (Service) Bn. Border Regiment
Attack on southern side of Ovillers dawn (14/7) – all companies gained objectives with little resistance. To Senlis during night (17/7).
[John Charles Leighton, according to C.W.G.C. and Soldiers Died, was killed on the 15th July 1916; but CPGW page 151 gives the date as 14th July 1916.]
No comments yet.