Richard Francis Leithboro
1891-1976
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| Army Services Corps |
WW1
Leithboro Richard Francis, 1891, Reading, 1101, T4/248841 Rank Staff Sergeant Corps, 1/1st Berkshire Yeomanry, 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade, Army Service Corps
Richard was a territorial soldier with the Berkshire Yeomanry and was mounted and unmounted during the war ie on horse back and foot soldiers. His regimental unit had several changes in command during the war but served in Egypt, Gallipoli and France.
Summarised History
1914
- August 1914 : in Reading. Part of the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade in the Mounted Division.
READING
Billeting
B (Reading) Squadron Berkshire Yeomanry, the Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery and the local A.S.C. continued to occupy the Swansea Road and Wokingham Road Schools, and the Queens Hotel, Reading. The Reading Standard in its edition for Saturday 8th August reported that “Numerous public and private building in Reading are being utilised for military purposes. The Berks Yeomanry are billeted at the Old Queens Hotel, which is accommodating a record number of guests ! The beds are of straw and kit bags serve as pillows. A week later it was reporting that “The Queen’s Own is the new but unauthorised title of the Yeomanry who have been lodging at the Queens Hotel”September 1914 : Brigade transferred to 2nd Mounted Division.
1915
April 1915 : moved to Egypt.
August 1915, moved dismounted to Gallipoli. Withdrew back to Egypt in December.
1916
January 1916 : Brigade became an independent command and was retitled as 6th Mounted Brigade.
1917
February 1917 : Brigade transferred to Imperial Mounted Division.
June 1917 : Brigade transferred to Yeomanry Mounted Division.
1918
April 1918 : Merged with the with the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry to form C Bn, the Machine Gun Corps.
June 1918 : moved via Italy to France.
August 1918 : renumbered 101st Bn, the Machine Gun Corps.
Detail History.
1914-15
- It seems likely that Richard (number 1101 early, 1382 joined on 22nd January 1909) was already in the Berkshire Yeomanry when war broke out this was a Territorial role and meant pre-war attending camps for training otherwise able to maintain his full time Butcher occupation,
Berkshire Yeomanry at Camp possibly before the war
- Richard however may not have been sent overseas until after 1916 until conscription would have been introduces. This theory is supported by the fact he was awarded the BWM and Victory medals and not the 1914-15 star meaning he wasn’t in a combat zone in 1914-15.
Medal roll extract shows medals awarded and also that Francis finished his service with 2nd South Midland Brigade ASC
1916
- 14 May. Brother Leonard Leithboro killed in France while a Private 26869 12th Bn. Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
1917
- It may be that Richard was promoted to be squadron Staff Sergeant Major in 1917 . This photo and message at the war forum indicates a William Bond of B (Reading) Squadron was the SS Major until this year.
From Andrew French “William Bond signed for imperial service with the regiment and went overseas to Egypt and Gallipoli. Following the death of his SSM (Bill Cox) at Matruh on 11th December 1915. Sgt WE Bond was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major of the B Sqn, a post which he held until 1917.
1918
- 13 Jun. Richard became part of a Machine Gun battalion when the it was formed from the amalgamation of the Berkshire Yeomanry and the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars, in Egypt on 13 June 1918. Moved to Western Front by end of June 1918, after first sailing from Alexandria to Taranto 17-21 June. Re-designated 101st Bn MGC on 19 August 1918.
- As by now Richard was the Staff Sergeant for the corps he was most likely in an administrative and discipline role rather part of a combat team.
1919
Most likely Richard discharged in 1919
Sources
- Andrew French (Regiment Historian)
- Long Long Trail
War Medals
