Leighton Harold Lieut

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Surname: Leighton;

Forename(s): Harold;

Initials: H;

Rank: Lieut;

Previous Regiment: R W Surrey Regt;

Date of transfer to MGC: 07-Aug-1916;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 88 Coy;

How killed: DOW;

Where: France;

When killed: 26-May-1917;

Awarded: MC;

Gallantry Notes: MC: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed marked courage and skill in handling his machine guns , which he got forward with the assaulting troops, thereby greatly contributing to the successful holding of the captured trench.;

Other Data: Dulwich College War Record 1914-1919: PORTRAIT
b.30/03/1893 son of Thomas Leighton 108 St Julians Farm Road, W.Norwood and of Leighton,Son & Lodge Ltd, 16 New St Sq, EC4, wholesale bookbinders. Worked for T&H Wicks, leather merchants, London.
The unit's war diary relates what happened:

An enemy aeroplane was brought down very low indeed by the 88th Machine Gun Company... but a shell burst amongst them as they were firing, causing several casualties including four officers, and the plane righted itself and flew away. The officers killed were Lieuts H. Leighton, W.H. Fry and 2/Lt Hutchinson of the 88th MG Coy and 2/Lt N. Grant RFA.'2 Curiously Lieutenant H. Leighton was taken back for burial at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, and Second Lieutenant W.H. Fry died of wounds on 26th May, being buried at Duisans British Cemetery. Second Lieutenant Noel Grant was serving with B/156 Bde RFA and is buried with the others at Orange Trench.
Above from "Walking Arras" Paul Reed.;

Other Notes: LEIGHTON, Lieutenant, HAROLD, MC, 88th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 26th May 1917. V. F. 21. Faubourg D'amiens Cemetery, Arras - Pas De Calais, France.
MC: LG 11/12/1916 (corrected LG 26/1/1917);

Is photo available? Yes, see VMGCRA Patreon

END OF RECORD.

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