Name
Ernest Arthur Leather
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/02/1916
48
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
Northumberland Fusiliers
15th Bn., attached to 27th (Tyneside Irish) Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RUE-DAVID MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX
1 H 36
France
UK & Other Memorials
Northaw Village Memorial
Pre War
He was born in Penge, Surrey 18th October or December1868, the 3rd son of 10 children of Frederick and Gertrude. In 1881 he was a scholar in Doncaster. His family were living in Northumberland, where his father was a J.P and 23rd May 1900, he joined the 5th Militia Battalion of The Northumberland Fusiliers as a Lieutenant and served in Malta during The South African War. In 1904 he married Mildred; in 1910 he retired from the Army with the rank of Captain. In 1911 he was living at Dalvey, High Road, Potters Bar and with his wife and 4 year old daughter. They had another daughter in 1913. He was a manufacturers’ agent. In August 1914 he re-joined his old Regiment and was appointed second in command of the 10th Battalion. Promoted to Major in October 1914. He was unable to go overseas with the Regiment because of a horse riding accident. When he recovered he was posted to 15th and later attached to the 27th. At the time of his death, Mildred was living in The Cottage, Northaw.
Wartime Service
He went to France on 11th January 1916 and on Thursday 10 February 1916 he was in a dug-out with two other officers, near Fleurbaix when a shell burst on the top and killed him.
Additional Information
He had five brothers all of whom fought in both The South African War and WW1. Two of his brothers were also killed in WW1. There is unusual memorial to Ernest Leather at St Cuthbert’s Cave in Northumberland.
Acknowledgments
De Ruvigny’s www.tickhillhistorysociety.org.uk www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk Brian Lodge
