John Edward LEEMING

04 June 1915

LEEMING – Killed in action in France on May 21st Corpl. Edward Leeming, 10th Battalion of Canadians, eldest son of the late Mr. Anthony Leeming, formerly of Hardacre Farm, Bentham.

04 June 1915

BENTHAM'S ROLE OF HONOUR

The second young Bentham soldier to lay down his life for his country and King is Corpl. Edward Leeming, the eldest son of the late Mr. Anthony Leeming, who for many years farmed Hardacre Farm, and the nephew of Mr. E. T. Clapham of Moulterbeck. Leeming was in his 30th year, and left Bentham about three years ago for the West of Canada, and in October joined the l0th Battalion of Canadians, and belonged to the ‘B’ Company 5th Platoon. He was very well known in the Bentham district and highly respected. He was here last Christmas for a short furlough, before setting off for the Front, and the following letter was received on Monday morning by his cousin, Miss Nellie Clapham of Lane House, Mewith, from his sergeant in France:–

“Dear Miss Clapham, – It is with regret that we, the comrades of Ted Leeming, find it our unpleasant duty to inform you that our brave comrade passed away in action on the night of the 21st May during a successful attack on the enemy.

“We find it difficult to express in words our sentiments in regard to our late comrade. He was a true Christian and an example to all of us as soldiers. It will surely be a comfort to you to receive our assurance that his death was absolutely painless and we are confident that he is now with the Master he served so well.

“Not having Ted’s home address we have taken the liberty of opening your letter, Miss Clapham, received after the engagement, to obtain the address. Kindly break the news to his stepmother, to whom he was deeply attached, and accept our deepest sympathy. We shall never forget him.

“Yours in sympathy, SERGT. T.E. BELL and all the comrades of his section 10th Battalion Canada's B Company, 5th Platoon.”

15 June 1917

CLAPHAM – MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday afternoon a memorial service was held in St. James’ Church for local soldiers who have fallen in battle. A large congregation assembled, amongst whom were relatives of the heroes and many were visibly affected by the solemnity of the occasion. A special form of service was used including the lesson from 1. Cor. xv. 20 – ‘Now is Christ risen from the dead,’ and Psalm 39 was chanted by the choir. Mr. Goddard Barker, A.R.C.O., gave as voluntaries ‘Marche Funebre’ (Beethoven), ‘But the Lord is mindful of His own’ (Mendelssohn), and ‘Marche Funebre’ (Chopin), and Miss A. Harrison feeling[ly] sang ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ (Carey). The hymns were ‘Jesu, Lover of my soul’ and ‘Lead, Kindly Light.’ Canon Rawdon Briggs preached a touching sermon from 1. Philippians, 23rd verse – ‘To depart and to be with Christ, which is far better,’ and in the course of his remarks said that was an occasion when the people were met to commemorate the sacredness of those dear ones who had fallen in battle. Their words and thoughts were with those who are asleep in the future beyond. There is no death, as the term is only a step into a larger and fuller life beyond. Life is one stage, a kindergarten or preparatory school and the Church states there is no death only a gateway, a closing of the eyes here and opening them there. Those near and dear heroes are moved on to another state. Their lives have not been wasted but developed to higher ones. They should be remembered in people’s prayers, for they are serving on the other side of the grave. In conclusion Canon Briggs quoted the verse:–

He is not dead the child of your affection,
But gone into another school;
Where he no longer needs your protection,
For Christ Himself doth rule.

16 November 1917

HIGHER BENTHAM – MEMORIAL SERVICE

The second memorial service for soldiers killed at the Front was held at St. Margaret’s Church on Sunday afternoon. The sacred edifice was well filled by parishioners of every shade of religious and political opinions. The Vicar (the Rev. G. H. C. Bartley) officiated, and the service was choral, commencing with the opening sentences of the burial service, chanted, as a processional with the Union Jack was carried in front, draped with violet. Between the lessons the choir gave the anthem, ‘I heard a voice from Heaven’ very beautifully, and the Vicar read out the names of the fifteen heroes who have laid down their lives from the parish, as well as the three who are missing, and supposed killed, as follows:– Captain D. Morrison; Private Ed. Magoolaghan; Lance Corporal Joe Jackson; Captain S. C. Bartley (the Vicar’s brother); Corporal E. Leeming; Private Tom Wilcock; Captain G. G. Eccles; Private Ezra Stevenson; Private Len Nelson; Captain Pollard; Private Percy Whitfield (N.Z.); Corporal Wm. Robinson; Corporal Harry Smith; Corporal R. Clarke (missing); Private Lancelot Dowbiggin; Private Ed. Briscoe; Private Edwin Smith.

As the names were read out many tears were shed at the memory of the loved ones ‘Gone West’. Then followed an excellent sermon by the Vicar from the words ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend’, at the conclusion of which Miss V. Stubbs played the ‘Dead March’ whilst the congregation remained standing. The recessional hymn was ‘For all the Saints’, and at the close the organist played ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ as a voluntary. The entire service was of a very impressive character.