HENRY THOMAS LEEKS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Evening Star newspaper 17th November 1944.
Born: 17th January 1912, Ipswich.
Died: 16th October 1944; age: 32; KiA.
Residence: ‘Ivydene’, Highfield Road, Ipswich.
Employed: as a Freight Clerk – at Messrs. Burton, Son and Sanders, Ltd., Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 5833753.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion – Infantry.
Grave Reference:
II.A.8.
Venray, Limburg,
Netherlands.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of George & Florence Leeks, of Ipswich; husband of Ivy Grace M. Leeks, of Ipswich.
Father: George Leeks, born September 1879, Aldham, Suffolk.
Mother: Florence Susanna Leeks (nee Watling), born June 1876, Mendlesham, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1921 13, Boar Head Lane, Ipswich.
Thomas was 9 years & 5 months old. He attended School and lived with his parents and siblings.
George Leeks, 42 years & 9 months old, a Warehouseman for W. Christopherson – Merchant – Oil Cake, of Griffin Wharf, Ipswich.
Florence Leeks, 45 years old, House Duties.
Arthur George Leeks, 20 years & 3 months. A Labourer – Farmers Co-operative Society, Commercial Road, Ipswich, born Ipswich.
Hilda May Leeks, 16 years & 5 months old, a Servant for Mrs. Morrison, of Norwich Road, Ipswich, born Ipswich.
Louisa Violet Leeks, 15 years & 1 month old, a Servant for Miss Harrison, of Blenheim Road, Ipswich, born Ipswich.
Ernest Henry Leeks, 12 years & 10 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Henry was a Freight Clerk – Wholesale Grocers. He lived with his parents and brother at the family home – 52, Bath Street, Ipswich.
George, a Dock Hand – Barge Unloading.
Florence, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Ernest, a Provender Mill Hand.
In 1939, Henry married Ivy Grace May Calver, a cigarette machine packer, born February 1916, Ipswich – daughter of Henry William Calver, a timber porter, and Florence Emily Calver (nee Johnson), of 72, Rosebery Road, Ipswich.
Probate to Ivy Grace May Leeks – widow.
Henry is also remembered on St Mary at Stoke Church memorial, Ipswich.
1st Battalion:
September 1939: On the outbreak of war the Battalion was based in Devonport. It was part of 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division.
October 1939: They went to France.
May/June 1940: The Battalion were evacuated from Dunkirk and returned to the UK.
June 1944: The Battalion landed in Normandy (D Day). From then on was engaged in the North Western Europe campaign.
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