Thorpe Village Memorial

Thorpe Village Memorial

Thorpe War Memorial Remembered Arthur Leigh-Bennet DSO MC Captain 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards Arthur was born on the 25th November 1885 the son of Henry Currie Leigh-Bennett and Florence Nightingale (nee Mackay) and baptised at St. Mary’s Church, Thorpe on the 31st January 1886. In 1891 he was living with his parents and elder sister Margaret at their home Thorpe Place, Thorpe. In 1901 he was a student at Winchester College and from there went to the Sandhurst Military Academy. (His parents were living in Chelsea where his father is described as “Member of Parliament” on the 1901 census.) On the 28 January 1905 he was “Gazetted” (listed as an Officer) 2nd Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards and promoted to Lieutenant on the 22nd January 1907. His father had died in 1903 and on the 1911 census the Head of the household at Thorpe Place was George Edward Price. Arthur is there as a “Visitor” as his widowed mother. Listed as “Son in Law” is Arthur’s elder brother Henry Wooley Leigh-Bennet and daughter Elina Rose Leigh-Bennet. The 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards were at Windsor when war was declared and landed at Le Harve on the 13th August as part of 4th Guards Brigade, 2nd Division. The Battalion were immediately despatched to Mons with the rest of the BEF and fought in some of the rear-guard actions during the retreat. Arthur was awarded the Military Cross for his services at the Battle of the Aisne (12th – 15th September 1914) before the BEF moved north to Flanders. Between the 25th October and the 17th November the Brigade were holding the line at Polygon Wood, Zillebeke when he was wounded. On the 9th December he was promoted to Captain. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) “For conspicuous gallantry, at Cuinchy on the 1st February 1915. Leading his men with great ability against the enemy, he stopped their advance, and eventually captured their position.” He was again wounded on the 20th May 1915. In August 1915 the Guards Division was formed, and the 4th Brigade became the 1st Brigade in that Division. He was killed on the 3rd October 1915 while inspecting trenches east of Vermeles, to be taken over the following day. He is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery Plot 1 Row J Grave 17. Headstone Inscription:- “YOUNGEST SON OF HENRY C. LEIGH-BENNETT OF THORPE PLACE, CHERTSEY” He was awarded the DSO, MC. 1914 Star + Clasp, British War and Victory Medals. His Effects amounted to £16-8s-0d and a War Gratuity of £47. He left a will and Probate was granted to his brother Henry Wooley Leigh-Bennett with total Effects amounting to £1110-11s-0d

Created by: , Derek58007

  • Died 1915

    British Army Captain Coldstream Guards