Name
Frank Evelyn Leete
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/12/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
9th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
E. L XXIV. B.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial,
Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin,
Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
He was the son of Ernest and Mary Leete and the brother of Stanley Leete. He probably started at the Hitchin Grammar School circa 1902. He left in the Summer of 1905 at which time he was in the Lower 5th Form.
On leaving Hitchin Grammar School, he took up an important position with Liberty's of London, in whose service he spent some time in France.
Wartime Service
When he joined the army he served as a Private with the Regimental Number 3038 in the Queen Victoria Rifles in France having arrived there on the 9th May 1915 and during this period he was wounded for the first time.
On his recovery, he accepted a commission into the London Regiment of the Q.V.R., which was the l/9th London Regiment, Territorial Force of the 169th Brigade, 56th Division.
For several days starting on the 26th November 1917, the 56th Division of London Territorials were engaged in heavy fighting around Moeuvres and Tadpole Copse about seven miles west of Cambrai.
He received severe head wounds whilst leading his men into action with the 9th London Regiment as a result of which he was returned to England. There were high hopes for his recovery, but an operation became necessary. This took place in a private hospital in London but he failed to respond. His body was brought from London by train, given a military funeral in Holy Saviour Church and was buried in Hitchin Cemetery in Grave E.LXX.14.
Additional Information
Stanley has a none CWGC grave and headstone in Hitchin Cemetery. The inscription is difficult to read, but mat be readable on site.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
