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Norman Sydney Leake enlisted in the 4th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment the 2 Sep 1914. The Battalion embarked for France on 17 Apri 1915 and, as part of the 50th Division, they first "stood to arms" on 22 Apr, by 4 May 1915 the Battalion had lost more than half its strength. In Dec 1915 they were again in the salient near Hill 60 where they remained during the whole of the winter in the trenches, "often thigh-deep in mud and water". A report in the Beverley Guardian dated 5 Feb 1916, states "News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. F. Leake of Lairgate, Beverley, that their son, Private Norman Leake of the 4th East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Territorials) has received somewhat severe wounds in the chest. Private Leake who is about 21 years of age accompanied his Battalion to the front early last Spring. Along with his comrades he participated in the fierce engagements in which the "Fighting Fourth" were concerned during April, May and June when his unit suffered such heavy casualties in officers and men. He is now in one of the field hospitals and is making steady progress towards recovery."
As a consequence of being wounded, Norman was awarded the Silver Badge and was discharged from the Regiment. He was also awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 15 Star.
Norman was the elder son of Fred and Edith Kate Leake, Fred was a draper. In 1911 Norman was an engine fitter's apprentice at Earls Limited Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Hull, and when he married in 1930 he gave his occupation as engineer. He married Clare Evelyn Walgate, who was born in South Cave, and they had three children, Barbara, Bernard and John, all born in Grimsby. Norman died in the Wirral, Cheshire, in Mar 1963 at the age of 68
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |