Albert Edward LEESE

Albert (Edward) LEESE. Lance Corporal 13372, D Coy, 9th North Staffordshire Regiment. Born 1878 at Stoke on Trent, resided at Werrington, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. Son of Henry and Martha Anne Leese, nee Brereton. 1891 residing with his parents and siblings at Hall Street, Stoke on Trent. He married Eliza Lester on the 9 March 1909 at Stoke on Trent, Registry Office. 1911 with his wife and children at 22 Thomas Street, Stoke on Trent, occupation, potters kiln placer. Enlisted 22 September 1914 aged 27 years and 74 days, occupation, collier. On the 30 September 1914 he was posted to the 9th Battalion after he completed his training at the Depot. He embarked with the 9th to joined the BEF in France. 15 January 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal in the field. He was reported missing presumed killed 27 May 1917. A report as to the cause of death by his Officer Commanding. L/Cpl Leese was last seen alive going out with his working party to the front. At 2-30 am on the 27 May, he was returning with his working party from the front line. A shell burst on the side of the trench close to L/Cpl Leese. The men in front and behind of Leese were knocked by the concussion. Later it was discovered the L/Cpl Leese was missing. A search was made, but no trace of him could be found. His widow was granted a war gratuity 9 October 1917 revised 19 November 1919.
He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France

He was commemorated on a Poppy Cross Memorial, at Werrington War Memorial, Staffordshire 2018