exeter

Born about 1891 Halifax, Yorks. The 1901 census records him living at Prescott Place, Halifax, with his parents John [b.1841 London] and Emily [b.1850 Huddersfield] and his sisters Emma J [b.1878 Halifax], Beatrice [b.1882 Halifax], Gertrude [b.1884 Halifax] and Ethel [b.1887 Halifax]. His father’s occupation is recorded as Tobacco Shipper. There were also two older children not shown in the 1901 census, Eleanor [b.1873 Huddersfield] and Cornelius [b.1875 Halifax]. His medal index card shws that correspondence was to be sen to his father J Leary c/o 2 Tathams Yard, New Road, Halifax.

Name: LEARY Initials: E Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Regiment Unit Text: 1st Bn. Date of Death: 21/06/1915 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. A. 28. Cemetery: HOUPLINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Details can be found here www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=281048 A photo of his CWG Memorial can be found here twgpp.org/information.php?id=2347526

Lance Corporal Eric Leary of the Scots Guards was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment under the Military Regulations of May 1914 with effect 15th September 1914. (LG 28930 of 6 Oct 14). On the outbreak of war 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment was serving at Nasirabad Garrison in India. They embarked for England at Bombay on 19th October 1914 and arrived at Devonport on 18th November. From there the battalion went to Magdelen Hill Camp near Winchester where 2Lt Leary most likely first joined them. Here 82nd Brigade was forming (1st RIR; 1st Leinsters; 2nd DCLI; 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers) as part of 27th Division. 82nd Brigade was sent to France as urgent reinforcements from Southampton to Le Havre over 20th to 23rd December 1914. 1st Royal Irish Regiment fought in the trench action at St Eloi in Belgium, 12 Jan-12 Feb 1915; and then at the Second Battle of Ypres (where the Germans first used poison gas) 22 Apr-25 May 1915.//

The daily attrition of holding the front line trenches at Houplines in 1915 is revealed in the cemetery register. The Royal Irish Regiment turn of duty in the firing line at the end of June 1915 cost the lives of: 9608 Sgt G S Dowling and 6387 Pte W Leake on 14th June; 9536 Pte T Barry (aged 24) on 20th; Lt E Leary on 21st; 7581 Pte J Gowton on 22nd; Lt E J K P Pigott (aged 21) on 24th; 10118 Pte J O'Brien on 25th; and 10581 Pte R Webster on 26th. Then 7198 Pte J Cronshaw on 5th July; 7261 Pte M Costello on 6th July; 1037 Pte T Byrne on 8th July; 4373 Pte J Doyle on 11th; 8281 Pte S Pullen on 13th July 1915.//

The 1st Btn. Royal Irish War Diary for 21 June 1915 says "Nothing to report for last night. On the evening of this date at 5pm Lieut E Leary was killed in 87 trench, hit in the head. Casualties , officers killed Lieut E Leary. Other ranks wounded 0 To Hospital sick 1." The Diary for 22 June 1915 says " Nothing to report - Lieut Leary was buried at 4.30pm by Rev I (?) Cape 82nd Field Ambulance in Houplines Grave Yard - Casualties 1 wounded other ranks. To Hospital other ranks 3"

Exeter Cathedral - The West Front

Please post this beautiful picture at
H.W.A. - P2&A3.