16002. Private Sidney Leakey

12th. (Service) (Bermondsey) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.  Born in Upper Norwood, Surrey. Killed in Action on Friday 15th. September 1916 during the fierce fighting on the first day of  The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which was an engagement of The Battle of The Somme in which Tanks were used for the first time. Lost Without Trace. No Known Grave. Known unto God. Commemorated on Pier and Face 6B and 6C of The Thiepval Memorial to The Missing, Somme, France. Sidney was 1 of only 5 Servicemen with the surname “Leakey” to have  Fallen during The Great War. A staggering total of 96 of Sidney’s Comrades from the Battalion were also Killed in Action on this day, including:

6681. Sergeant Charles Magnire M.M.

together with the following 4 Officers who were all Killed in Action:

Captain James Leslie Buckman

Lieutenant John Richards Chesters

Captain Cyril York Davis

Lieutenant Cecil Croker Fox

12th. (Service) (Bermondsey) Battalion East Surrey Regiment

War Diary

1916. September. FRICOURT. APPENDIX. Ref. Map France 62D 1/40,000.

14th. At 4.30 p.m. the BN proceed to take up its battle position at the N.W. of DELVILLE WOOD. Battle strength 17 Officers, 634 other ranks. The remainder of the BN proceed to the vicinity of FRICOURT.

Ref. Map 57.C.3.w. 1/20,000.

15th. At 2 a.m. the BN had taken up its position at S.11.d.0.8. The formation was lines of half platoons in file, “A” Coy. On the right, “D” Coy. On the left. The half platoons were concealed in shell holes. On the right were the R.W. Kents & on the left the N.Z. Brigade & in front the K.R.R.C. The BN advanced at 6.15 a.m. & took the enemy’s 1st & 2nd line trenches. Although it suffered heavy casualties, losing nearly all the Officers, it continued to advance to about 200 yards in front of FLERS & occupied enemy trenches there.

Casualties: Offs. 16; O.R. 286.

Roll of Offs. killed & wounded:-

Lt Col. H.J. WALMISLEY-DRESSER, died of wounds 17.9.15; Capt & Adjt. R.A. McCULLOCH wounded; Capt. F.D. JESSOP, wounded, believed killed; Capt. J.L. BUCKMAN, killed; Capt. C. YORK-DAVIS, killed; Capt. A.D. GROW, wounded; Lieut. J.W. STADDON, killed; Lieut. C.C. FOX, killed; Lieut. J.R. CHESTERS, killed; 2nd Lieut. J.E.N. CROWTHER, wounded; 2nd Lieut. F. BEARD, wounded; 2nd Lieut. A.J. HOWETT, wounded; Lieut. S. STIMSON, wounded; 2nd Lieut. W. EDWARDS, wounded; 2nd Lieut. H.T. PIKE, wounded; Lieut. E.W.G. YOUNG, R.A.M.C., wounded; 2nd Lieut. W.J. PALK was the only Officer unwounded. 

At 7.30 p.m. an order was given for the 12 E. Surreys to return to the reserve trenches, S.16.d.0.6.

1916. September. 16th. APPENDIX.

BN in reserve trenches. The King sent the C-in-C the following message:-

“ I congratulate you & my brave troops on the brilliant success just achieved. I have never doubted that complete victory will ultimately crown our efforts and the splendid results of the fighting yesterday confirmed this belief.”

George, R.I.

Barry Jenkins