Warlencourt British Cemetery. 5km SW of Bapaume.
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The Warlencourt cemetery hold burials that were brought in from smaller cemeteries and the battlefields around.
Harry Leeks.
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At the census of 1901 Harry, aged 5, was living at 57 Wharton St and had been born in N Skelton.
His father, an Ironstone miner, came from Bradley, Suffolk and his mother from Elm, Cambridgeshire.
He had two brothers, Joseph and Leonard, aged 13 and 14, both already working in the mine as "tub cleaners".
He had a third brother Sydney, aged 8, and two of them, possibly all three fought in the war.
Harry also had younger sisters, Edith 3 and 11mth old twins Alice and Clara.
By the time of the First War the family were living at 12 Vaughan St, North Skelton.
The 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment were formed in August 1914 in Northallerton.
They became part of the 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division.
After landing at Boulogne on the 14th May 1915, the Division took part in most of the actions on the Western Front.
The Battle of the Somme had raged from the end of June 1916 into the winter.
The major offensives of the First World War were made in the Spring and Summer months.
Winter was the time when
some men could be allowed to go on leave.
But the War was a continuous four year Battle and the line had to be held at all points night and day.
The following is an extract from the Diary of the 4th Bn for the period 31st December 1916 to
7th January 1917.:-
Battalion in Site 3 (Nissan huts).
Night (7/1) - (8/1) moved to Flers reserve in relief of 7th Northumberland Fus.
Flers reserve very wet, a series of gun positions connected by trenches into a miniature Hampton Court maze.
Several thousand rounds left as legacy of battery which formerly occupied position, a quiet four days (7/1/17) - (11/1/17).
Thence moved to left front-line subsection in relief of 5 Durham Light Inf
Front line a series of isolated posts;
Dispositions:- Two half Coys in outposts:
Half Coy in deep dugouts: Half right coy Hexham Road. One Coy Eaucourt l' Abbaye: One Coy Bazentin railhead under
canvas.
Four prisoners came in during this tour, and there was one case of trench foot.
Work done in wiring support and improving revetting advanced posts.
Patrol reported no Bosche posts forward of Bosche wire.
Battalion walked into barrage on night 11/12 at Hexham Road. (Harry killed in this barrage).
It was only after the War that the Imperial War Graves Commission could create
the still well maintained cemeteries
The dead were buried quickly with just a wooden cross and
families could send for a photograph as Harry's Dad did for this one.
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