Name
Stanley Herbert Leete
20th December 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/06/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
12866
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
IV. C. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour {Book}, Hitchin
Pre War
Stanley was born on 20 December 1894 in Hitchin and christened on 17 Mar 1895 at Holy Saviour Church, Hitchin. His parents were Ernest Masters and Mary Leete.
In 1901 the family were living at 57 Walsworth Road, Hitchin. Both parents were present Ernest (47) and Mary (46), with Ernest was working as a clothier, outfitter and employer. Their children were: Ida Mary (19), Claude H (13), Reginald H (12), Leslie B (11), Frank Evelyn (10), Arthur D (possibly Dudley age 7), Stanley Herbert (6) and Francis Bertram (4). One servant was now present Katie Woodward (15).
Stanley attended Miss Pierson's School in Bancroft, Hitchin before arriving at the Hitchin Grammar School for the period 1906- 1911 and played in his school football team and later the Town Cricket Club
By 1911 the family circumstances and address had not changed. Frank’s parents were recorded as being married for 30 years with 11 children, of whom 2 had died. The only children now present were Ida, Ernest, Stanley (16 and at school) and Francis and they still had one servant
The family ran a gentleman's outfitting shop in Hitchin and after Stanley left school he joined his father's business.
Officially Stanley was recorded as born, living and enlisting in .Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hitchin and was given the Regimental Number 12866. He arrived in France on the 30th July 1915 with Alfred James Sapsed. He was killed by a chance shell striking his billet while he was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Bedfords being in the 112th Brigade, 37th Division in France.
This probably occurred in the vicinity of Bienvillers-au-Bois, from which the Bedfords were to move forward as part of the defensive left flank to the great battle of the Somme which commenced a few days later on the 1st July 1916.
He was buried in Plot 4, Row C, Grave 1 in the Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France.
Additional Information:
His mother ordered his headstone inscription while living at 57, Walsworth Rd., Hitchin, it reads: “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN”.
After his death £15 8s 3d was authorised to go to his father on 3 November 1916. Later, a war gratuity of £8 was authorised to be paid to him on 1 September 1919.
It was reported that, including Stanley Herbert Leete, who was killed, he had four brothers serving. Dudley (presumably Arthur D) informed his parents of the death of Stanley.
He was the third of four brothers who volunteered for service in the war. Of the other three Frank was wounded in 1918 and was killed in 1917 and W Leete received wounds but survived.
He was buried in Plot 4, Row C, Grave 1 in the Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France.
Additional Information
His mother ordered his headstone inscription while living at 57, Walsworth Rd., Hitchin, it reads: “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN”.
After his death £15 8s 3d was authorised to go to his father on 3 November 1916. Later, a war gratuity of £8 was authorised to be paid to him on 1 September 1919.
It was reported that, including Stanley Herbert Leete, who was killed, he had four brothers serving. Dudley (presumably Arthur D) informed his parents of the death of Stanley.
He was the third of four brothers who volunteered for service in the war. Of the other three Frank was wounded in 1918 and was killed in 1917 and W Leete received wounds but survived.
Stanley is also commemorated on a headstone in Hitchin Cemetery. The inscription is difficult to read, but mat be readable on site, it starts:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF STANLEY HERBERT LEETE
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
