Horace William Leavesley

Horace William Leavesley was born in 1895 the son of Walter a wood surveyor/ joinery and Sarah Ann Leavesley nee Sibert of Mosley Terrace off Prospect Street Radford. His father Walter was born in 1860 at Nottingham, his mother Sarah Ann Sibert was born in 1864 at Radford, they were married in 1881 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district, they went on to have the following children, George b1882 Radford, John b1884 Hyson Green, Walter b1885 Hyson Green, Richard b1886 Hyson Green, Sarah Ann b1891 Radford, Charlotte b1893 Radford, Horace William b1895 Radford, Ernest Frank b1903 Radford, and Ada Ellen b1907Radford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 5 Mosley Terrace, Prospect Street, Nottingham and are shown as Walter 51 yrs a wood surveyor/ joinery he is living with his wife Sarah Ann 47 yrs and their children, George 29 yrs a coal miner, John 27 yrs a m9iners labourer, Walter 26 yrs a coal miner, Richard 25 yrs a coal miner, Sarah Ann 20 yrs a card board box maker, Charlotte 18 yrs a lace machinist Horace William a carriage stationer in the lace trade, Ernest Frank 8 yrs a scholar and Ada Ellen 4 years of age.

He worked in the lace industry as a carriage stationer.

Private Horace William Leavesley enlisted at Nottingham whilst residing at Radford and served with the 9th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He served in Gallipoli and later Egypt, prior to moving to France in July 1916. He was killed in action on 26 September 1916 during the Battle of Thiepval having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.

His brother Private Walter Leavesley enlisted on 3rd April 1915, joining 15th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. He was discharged as no longer physically fit for service as a member of the Durham Light Infantry on 26th April 1919. Obituaries published 25th October 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- LEAVESLEY. – Killed in action, September 26th, Private Horace Leavesley, Sherwood Foresters, age 21. In a far and lonely battlefield, where the trees their branches bend, lies my ever loving son, gone to his untimely end; sleep on, dear son, in a hero's grave, a grave I may never see, but as long as life and memory last, I will remember thee; it's the unknown grave that's the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. – Broken-hearted mother and father, brothers and sisters.” In memoriam published 26th September 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “LEAVESLEY. – In loving memory of our dear son Horace, killed in action September 26th, 1916, aged 21. The house is dark without our loved one, bitterly we miss his face, sadness lurks where once was sunshine, none can fill our loved one's place. One of the best. – Loving mother and father, brothers, sister Louie, Walter (with colours), fiancée Mabel. “LEAVESLEY. – In affectionate remembrance of our dear brother Horace, killed in action September 26th, 1916. The supreme sacrifice. Ever in our thoughts. – Loving sisters Sarah and Daisy, brothers-in-law Joe and Arthur (with colours). “LEAVESLEY. – Killed in action, September 26th, 1916, my dear brother Horace. A loving brother, true and kind, he was to all in heart and mind; he always tried to do his best, God grant him eternal rest. – Loving sister Emma, and Frank, Sid.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.