Sapper Herbert Leach
| Date of Birth | c. 1896 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 22 |
| Date of Death | 30 May 1918 |
| Service Number | 347567 |
| Military Service | 9th Battalion, Light Railway Operating Company |
| Merton Address | 6 West Gardens |
| Local Memorial | Christ Church, Colliers Wood |
Additional Information
Herbert was born early in 1896, the third of 8 children. His parents were Alfred Benjamin Leach who was a labourer and Susan Leach and they lived at 41 Brathway Road, Southfields.
Herbert was baptised at St Andrew’s Church, Earlsfield on 16 February 1896.
At the 1911 census, 15 year old Herbert was a grocery boy and lived with his older sister Susan, who was 19 and older brother George aged 17 and younger siblings William, Lizzie, Charlie, Tony and Stanley and their parents in the four roomed house in Brathway Road.
On 20 February 1916, aged just 20, Herbert married 18 year old Rose Burnett in All Saints Church, Wimbledon and they went to live in Colliers Wood.
Herbert enlisted at Camberwell in the Royal Engineers and joined the 9th Battalion of the Light Railway Operating Company as a Sapper. The Light Railways were first sanctioned in February 1916 and were used to transport goods, especially ammunition, and men to the front line. The rails were made in standard lengths and while more permanent tracks were laid using sleepers and stone ballast, many of the light railways were laid with minimum preparation of the ground.
Herbert died of wounds on 30 May 1918 and is buried in Pernes British Cemetery.