HERBERT ARTHUR LEEK
An Ipswich Man not remembered on Christchurch Park Memorial.
Photograph courtesy of Robyn.
Born: 22nd November 1879, Ipswich.
Died: 21st August 1915; age: 35; KiA – Dardanelles.
Residence: 15, Norwood Grove, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich; Date: October 1894.
Herbert was a Drummer for the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment – for 12 years. Serving in China and India. Retired 1906 – he was presented with a silver watch by the Bandsmen of his battalion.
Re-enlisted in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, ranked Lance Corporal, in June 1909. Served 7 years & 9 months as musician in the band.
On the outbreak of the war, Herbert was appointed Sergeant/Drummer to the East Yorkshire Regiment, 6th Battalion.
Date of Entry Therein: 14th July 1915 – Dardanelles.
Rank: Sergeant/Drummer; Service Number: 8778.
Regiment: East Yorkshire Regiment, 6th Battalion.
6th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers)
Formed at Beverley on 27 August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division.
December 1914 : became the Pioneer Battalion to the Division.
1 July 1915 : sailed from Avonmouth for Gallipoli via Mudros and landed at Suvla Bay 7 August 1915.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 52 to 55.
Turkey ( including Gallipoli).
Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of Florence A. Leek, of 15, Norwood Grove, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
CENSUS
1881 Church Lane, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
Herbert was 16 months old and living with his mother & siblings. The family were boarding at the family home of 63 year old, Thomas Buckenham, a Farm Labourer.
Sarah Leek (nee Green), 36, a Stay Makker, born Great Clacton, Essex.
Spencer Stephen Leek, 7, born Wickham Market, Suffolk.
Ellen Leek, 6, born Ipswich.
In 1881, at Woodbridge Road, Wickham Market, Suffolk, Herbert’s father, was a Boarder at the family home of 45 year old, Henry Clouting, a Tailor & Tobacconist.
Spencer Stephen Leek, 35, an Iron Moulder, born Woodbridge, Suffolk.
1891 St. John’s Home for Boys & Girls, Bloomfield Street, Ipswich.
Herbert was 11 years old, an Inmate/Pauper at the Workhouse School.
His brother, Arthur Albert Leek, 7, was also an Inmate.
1911 Victoria Barracks, Walkington & Woodmansey with Beverley Parks, Yorkshire.
Herbert was 31 years old, a Soldier ranked Drummer, for the 3rd Battalion, of the East Yorkshire Regiment.
Herbert was married, his wife and young daughter were also living at Victoria Barracks.
Florence, 24.
Constance, 8 months.
Herbert’s mother, Sarah Leek died 1885, Ipswich. His father, Spencer Stephen Leek died 1886, Ipswich.
Herbert attended St. John’s School, Ipswich.
On the 19th July 1909, at Beverley Minster in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, Herbert married Florence Ann Julian, born 1887, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. They had 1 daughter:
Constance Annie Leek, born August 1910, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Soldiers’ Effects to Florence A. Leek – widow.
St John’s Children’s Home
A separate home for pauper children was first proposed by Ipswich Union in around 1870. This was an unusual step for non-metropolitan unions at this time, and may have been the result of space shortage at the Great Whip Street workhouse. Plans were produced in 1871 and 1873 for a long building with a central block flanked by separate wings containing boys’ and girls’ accommodation. The building, eventually erected at Bloomfield Street in 1879, accommodated 80 boys and 50 girls. The boys were taught to work on the land, and in tailoring and shoe-making. The girls were taught needlework and other household skills to equip them for domestic service. A small infirmary was later added.
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