Harry's Story.
Death of Private Leese
It is officially stated that Private Harry Leese, of the Cheshire Regiment and of Sandbach Heath has died of a disease in Mesopotamia. He was 33 years of age and leaves a widow and two children. Private Leese enlisted from Messrs. Brunner Mond, Sandbach, in August 1914. He went out to Mesopotamia last Easter, and since then his wife received one letter, no more having been able to through. Mrs. Leese has received a letter of sympathy from the firm.
(Nantwich Guardian, Friday, August 4, 1916)
Harry Leese was born in Sandbach in July 1881, the eldest son of George Henry Leese and Sarah Ann Bratherton. He was baptised at St John the Evangelist Church, Sandbach Heath on August 7th. His siblings were Charles, Mary, George and Eva. On 22nd September 1907, aged 26, Harry married Lucy Barber (1888–1959) One year later, on 15th September 1908, their first daughter, Margery, was born and on 29th October 1912, they had another girl, named Eva. By this time, Harry was working for the chemical firm Brunner Mond at their Sandbach Works, and the family was living at Sandbach Heath, not far from his parents.
In August 1914, at the outbreak of World War 1, he signed up, joining the 8th Cheshire Regiment. Sent to Iraq (Mesoptamia), he died of dystentery on 4th July 1916. He was 33 years old.
Harry is remembered on the Brunner Mond memorial, now located at Sandbach Cemetery, The Hill, Sandbach:
In 1920, Lucy married Robert Briton Kaye. She died in 1959.
Additional research by Shena Lewington (April 2026)
Harry Leese was born in Sandbach in July 1881, the eldest son of George Henry Leese and Sarah Ann Bratherton. He was baptised at St John the Evangelist Church, Sandbach Heath on August 7th. His siblings were Charles, Mary, George and Eva. On 22nd September 1907, aged 26, Harry married Lucy Barber (1888–1959) One year later, on 15th September 1908, their first daughter, Margery, was born and on 29th October 1912, they had another girl, named Eva. By this time, Harry was working for the chemical firm Brunner Mond at their Sandbach Works, and the family was living at Sandbach Heath, not far from his parents.
In August 1914, at the outbreak of World War 1, he signed up, joining the 8th Cheshire Regiment. Sent to Iraq (Mesoptamia), he died of dystentery on 4th July 1916. He was 33 years old.
Harry is remembered on the Brunner Mond memorial, now located at Sandbach Cemetery, The Hill, Sandbach:
In 1920, Lucy married Robert Briton Kaye. She died in 1959.
Additional research by Shena Lewington (April 2026)