Albert Edward Leeke


Dec 18, 1885

Born in Knightsbridge, England

 

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59608 (temporary number 372)

Ø  Next of kin given as Elizabeth Leeke, mother, 5 Lympton Villas, Southwall Rd., Deal, Kent, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 6 years in the Queen’s Royal Regiment, West Surrey, England

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

The February 1915 Nominal Roll shows his rank as Lance Corporal.  The Embarkation Roll May 6, 1915 shows his rank as Sergeant.  All entries in his service file show his rank as Private.  There are no entries in the battalion’s Part II Orders indicating he was promoted above the rank of Private.

The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

 

Jan 12, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Septic Infection of leg

 

Feb 2, 1915

Discharged from hospital and granted sick leave until February 15, 1915

 

Mar 1, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Inflamed Tonsils

 

Mar 5, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jun 6, 1915

Admitted to the 11th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London with a diagnosis that reads diarrhea and vomiting.  It was reported that he suffered from food poisoning from a tin of Salmon

 

Jun 25, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Sep 8, 1915

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Jan 14, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza and placed in the Division Rest Station in Godewaersvelde, France

 

Jan 23, 1916

Discharged to duty and rejoined the 21st Battalion at front near Voormezeele, Belgium

 

May 8, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

 

May 17, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Oct 3, 1916

While in the front line near Courcelette, France, Albert Leeke suffered a concussion from a shell explosion and was evacuated to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid

 

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Oct 7, 1916

Discharged to duty and rejoined the battalion

 

Sep 21, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Oct 6, 1917

Granted permission to marry effective this date

 

Oct 7, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Next of kin was changed to read Mrs. M.C. Leeke, wife, 3 Pages Walk, Grange Road, Bermondsey, London, England

 

Feb 8, 1918

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent for 1 hour

 

Apr 4, 1918

Admitted to the No. 90 Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Bunions on his feet

 

Apr 6, 1918

Transferred to the No. 43 Casualty Clearing Station, then transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital in Etaples

 

Apr 7, 1918

Transferred to the No. 18 USA General Hospital in Camiers

 

Apr 12, 1918

Discharged from hospital to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

 

Apr 27, 1918

Discharged from the convalescent depot and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

 

May 1, 1918

Classified B1, meaning he was not fit for combat duty and transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

 

May 13, 1918

Transferred to the 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion in La Targette, France

 

Sep 13, 1918

The 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion was renamed the Canadian Infantry Works Company

 

Oct 21, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Nov 22, 1918

Rejoined the works company from leave

No explanation is given for the late return from leave nor is there any punishment recorded in his file

 

Jan 10, 1919

Proceeded to England and transferred to the General Depot in Witley pending return to Canada

 

Mar 25, 1919

Attached to the 8th Reserve Battalion in Witley pending return to Canada

 

Apr 2, 1919

Transferred to the No. 2 Canadian Discharge Depot in London pending discharge in the United Kingdom

Discharged from the CEF in London, England

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 12a Fort Buildings, Southwark Park Road, London

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 3 Pages Walk, Grange Road, London, England

 


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