In the Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix is the Commonwealth War Grave of Major Ernest Arthur Leather, serving with the 15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers attached to 'B' Company, 27th (4th Tyneside Irish), Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers who died 10/02/1916.

Ernest Arthur Leather was born at South Penge, Surrey on the 18th October 1868. Was educated privately.

He was the third son of the late Frederick John Leather, [who died in 1890] of Middleton Hall, Belford, Northumberland, J.P., and his wife Gertrude Elizabeth Sophia, (The Friary, Tickhill, Yorkshire), daughter of the Reverend Charles Walters, M.A. Oxon.

Edward joined the 5th Militia Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 23rd May 1900, and served in Malta during the South African War. He was awarded the Mediterranean Medal. He was further promoted a Lieutenant on the 3rd October 1900.

Edward married at Hexham Abbey on the 25th October 1904 to Mildred Louise, daughter of Charles Augustus Harrison, of Beacon Grange, Hexham, and they had two children, Vivien Mildred, born 22nd March 1907 and Anne du Sautoy, born 13th September 1912. They resided at The Cottage, Northaw, Hertfordshire.

He retired with the rank of Captain in 1910.

On the outbreak of war he re-joined his old regiment, and volunteered his services and, had been appointed as second-in-command of the 10th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, however, a bad accident, which was caused by his horse falling, prevented him from going overseas with the 10th Battalion, and after recovering from his accident the post of Officer Commanding 'B' Company of the 27th Battalion became vacant. He obtained his Majority on the 20th October 1914. Sent to France on the 11th January 1916, embarking at 7.35 am at Folkestone and disembarking at Boulogne by 6.15 pm.

He was killed in action on Thursday, 10th February 1916. He was in a dugout with 2 other officers, when a shell burst on top and killed him. He and was buried at La Croix Marechal, near Fleurbaix.

Captain Charles Leather sent word to their Mother.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 19/02/1916 reports:

“Major E.A. Leather killed:
Third brother to lose his life.
Major A.E. Leather, who is officially reported to have been killed on February 10th, was the third son of the late Mr. F.J. Leather, of Middleton Hall, Belford, Northumberland, and of Mrs. Leather, of The Friary, Tickhill, Rotherham, and married 1904 Mildred, daughter of Mr. Charles Harrison, of Beacon Grange, Hexham. Born in 1868, he served during the South African War with the Militia Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, retiring in 1908. On the outbreak of the present war he joined the 11th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and obtained his majority in October, 1914. Later he was transferred to the 27th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) with which he was serving at the time of his death. Major Leather was one of six brothers, all of whom served in the South African War and also in the present one. Three of them have now lost their lives in the service of their country, and a fourth has been severely wounded.”

The second photo shows the 4th brother Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth John Walters Leather, who became the Commanding Officer of the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, (he appears in the group photo 2nd from right, with their mother), who became a 2nd Lieutenant on the 27th September 1899, and served in the South African War 1899 - 1902, with the 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry with the Ladysmith Relief Force, and was present at the Battle of Colenso, the operations on the Tugela of 12th January to the 6th February, including the engagements at Vaal Krantz, Mount Christo, and the relief of Ladysmith; he also took part in the advance through Northern Natal and into the Transvaal. He was gazetted out of the 20th Battalion, DLI on the 29th November 1917 due to being unlikely to be fit again for service overseas.

He presented a Sanctuary Chair at Dawdon.

He is remembered at Whalton in W38.03 page 4, and on W38.07

The 1st brother Gerard Frederick Towlerton Leather (5th Photo), (standing left next to his mother), became a lieutenant on the 28th April 1886, then Captain, 21st January 1895, then Captain and Adjutant [2nd Battalion] on the 6th April 1898, before finally becoming a Major on the 15th August 1900. He received the Mediterranean Medal. Medal roll WO100 368.

Gerard Frederick Towlerton Leather was remembered by the Pages of the Sea project for a unique event to mark 100 years since Armistice and the end of the first world war.across the UK and Ireland communities gathered on 32 beaches to say a collective thank you and goodbye to the millions who left their shores, many never to return.

Ernest Arthur Leather is remembered at Belford on B16.01 and at Hexham H51.06 and H51.46. His middle name is spelt incorrectly as Alfred on the Hexham Memorials.

He is also remembered at Tickhill on Tickhill and District Local History Society website.

Anglo Boer War website
The Tickhill and District Local History Society
The CWGC entry for Major Leather