Pte 16726 Thomas Herbert Leach

• Age: 24
• From: Rock Ferry, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 18th February 1916
• Commemorated at: St Sever Cem, Rouen
  Panel Ref: A.17.25

Thomas Herbert was born in Rock Ferry on the 23rd December 1891, and was the sixth of eight children born to John Leach and his wife Sarah Elizabeth (née Jones) who were married on the 17th February 1878 at St Mary's Church, Eccles. John was a 27 year old confectioner of Deford Street, Chorlton-in-Medlock, his father, James, was a farmer, whilst Sarah was aged  23 of Church Street, Eccles, her father, Thomas, was an auctioneer. John was a confectioner with his own shop and both he and Sarah were born in Cheshire. Thomas Herbert was baptised with his sisters Maud and Elsie on the 17th January 1892 at St Paul's Church, Tranmere, his parents lived at 12 Buxton Road.

At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at 32 Mersey Lane South, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead. Thomas is 9 years of age and lives with his parents and seven siblings. His father, John, is aged 50, born in Oscroft, Cheshire in 1851, his occupation  was shown as a confectioner, whilst his mother, Sarah Elizabeth, is aged 46, born in Manchester. His siblings are recorded as; James A., aged 22 a journeyman baker born in Manchester, John M., aged 20 and an apprentice bread maker born in Didsbury, George M., aged 16 a shipping clerk born in Didsbury, and Susannah M., aged 14 who was also born in Didsbury. The rest of the siblings were born in Rock Ferry, Maud M.,  aged 12, Elsie, aged 9 (twin of Thomas) and Murray T., aged 6.

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 32 Mersey Lane South, Rock Ferry. Thomas Herbert is now aged 19, born 1891 and is a clerk for an importer of tinned goods. His father, John, is now aged 60 whilst his mother, Sarah Elizabeth, is aged 55. They have been married for thirty two years and have had nine children of which one had died. Thomas' siblings still living at the property are recorded as; James Arthur aged 31, born in 1880 is a baker of bread, George Manley, aged 25, born in 1885 is a coal clerk, Suzanne is aged 24, born in 1887 no occupation shown, Maud Mary, is aged 21, born in 1890 is a dressmaker, and twin sisters Elsie, is aged 19, no occupation and Murray Thompson, is aged 17, born in 1894 a wholesale grocery clerk.

Thomas enlisted on the 02^nd September 1914 at St George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16726. He gave his age as 22 years 281 days and his occupation as clerk. His next of kin was his father living at 32 Mersey Lane South, Rock Ferry. He was described as being 5' 7 and 3/4" tall, weight 136 lbs, chest 35", with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He stated that his religion was Wesleyan.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

He served in France from 07^th November 1915 and earned all three medals.

On 2^nd (or possibly 05^th) February 1916 he was wounded by a gunshot to his head, causing a fractured skull and was taken to 5 Casualty Clearing Station and then 5 General Hospital, Rouen, described as ‘seriously ill’.

His mother was informed that he had been admitted to 5 General Hospital dangerously ill and she replied by telegram that she would like to visit him. She was sent a railway travel warrant to Southampton and return, travelled on 16^th February and was accompanied by her son, George Manley, who paid his own fare but was subsequently refunded £1.17.0d.  They saw Thomas before he died.

On 18^th February he died of his wounds and he now rests at the nearby St Sever Cemetery, just outside Rouen, in Grave A 17 25.

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.

Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross, one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension.

The Cemetery and the Extension adjoin each other but have separate Registers.

St. Sever Cemetery contains 3,082 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also 1 French burial and 1 non war service burial here.The adjoining cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here.

The Commonwealth plots were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

His death was reported in the Birkenhead News on 23rd February 1916:

News is to hand that Private Thomas Herbert Leach, fourth son of Mr.and Mrs.Leach, of 32 Mersey-lane South,Rock Ferry, has died in hospital in France. He received a severe shrapnel wound in the head whilst serving in a recent engagement and died Feb.18th. He belonged to the 18th Service Batt.K.L.R. (the "Pals"). He was an enthusiastic member of the Tranmere Wesley Cricket Club, and will be missed by his many friends in sporting and social circles. He was 24 years of age. 

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay £2 18s 10d and a War Gratuity of £6 went to his father, John. The Pensions of both Thomas and brother James Arthur went to mother Sarah Elizabeth. (Both records in the name of Thomas Henry Leach)

Thomas featured in Du Revigny's Roll

Private,  No. 16726, 18th Service Battalion, Second City, the King's Liverpool Regiment; Fourth son of John Leach of Mersey Lane South, Rock Ferry, Cheshire, by his wife Sarah Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Green Jones; Born Rock Ferry, 23rd December 1891; Educated higher grade school there; Was an enthusiastic member of the Tranmere Wesley Cricket Club and voluntarily enlisted in September 1914 after the outbreak of War; Went to France October 1915; He was severely wounded in action in the head by shrapnel, and died 18th February 1916 in hospital Rouen; buried in the English Cemetery there.
 
His elder brother James Arthur, also enlisted as Private 34553 in the 18^th Battalion (Pals) and was killed in action on 01^st July 1916 and his medal card shows he earned two medals. He is commemorated on the Vernon Street Cemetery Memorial in Dantzig Alley Cemetery near Mametz where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"THY WILL BE DONE O LORD GOD"

James' death was reported in the Birkenhead News on 26th July 1916

LEACH - July 1, killed in action, Private J. A.(sic) Leach ("Pals",)  eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Leach, 32 Mersey Lane South, Rock Ferry.

(No letters by request.)

His father died, aged 69, in the March quarter of 1920. 

His mother, died, aged 75, in the March quarter of 1931. 

Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry member Jenny Harris for the photo of Thomas, now shown on this website.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Herbert Leach, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.