Lives of the First World War

1917

Fred Leak was born in 1893, the younger of two sons of Alfred and Sarah Leak of Hogley. He was brought up in the Holme area and attended Holme School. His nature was described as ‘of a retiring disposition’ but was noted for his height of 6 feet 1 inch, unusually tall for the time. He was employed as a mill-hand but could turn his hand equally to farming if needed. Before enlisting in April 1916, he was a weaver at Digley Mills. Fred was killed by a shell burst whilst engaged in an errand of mercy in the trenches, his gallant conduct described by Captain Griffin of the RAMC who wrote to his parents “The Battalion had broken through the German lines and the men were resting in a newly-won trench when we were subjected to very heavy shelling. Four men were badly wounded and despite the fact that it was almost certain death to go into that part of the trench, Private Leak immediately ran up and began to dress the wounds of the fallen. Another large shell then burst quite near him and he was struck through the heart and died before I could reach him.” Captain Griffin also told them “It will be some consolation to you in your great loss to know that since he belonged to my section he has always behaved himself in the most gallant manner and only a fortnight ago his conduct was brought before the notice of the General.”

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