THE LEATHERDALE BROTHERS

The Leatherdale Brothers have no obvious connection with St.Alban's Church or Westcliff. The most likely explanation for their inclusion on the St.Alban's War Memorial is that a relative, name unknown, was a member of the congregation.

Alan Richard Leatherdale was born in Catford, South London 8 May 1897 and baptised on 12 September at St.Jude's East Brixton. The parent's names are given as George Fenning Leatherdale and Mabel Gertrude Leatherdale (nee' Parsons) who also had a daughter, Phyllis, and lived at 12 Norfolk Road, Catford. Later the family moved to 22 Westholm Green, Letchworth. Alan was educated  at St. Anne's, Redhill and by private tutor at Dunton Waylett Rectory, Essex. He was employed at the London County and Westminster Bank in Andover.When war broke out Alan joined the volunteer force and offered himself for Officer Training College. When he was rejected on grounds of health he joined The Royal Fusiliers and reached the rank of Corporal. He was killed in action on 18 September 1916 at Flers on The Somme. In his will he left £200 to his mother who was by then living in Andover, Hants. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument.

Alan Richard Leatherdale

Like his younger brother, Donald Ryan Leatherdale was born in Catford, South London (1896) and educated at Christ's Hospital. He was employed by The Royal Exchange  Insurance Company. At the outbreak of the war he joined the Artist's Rifles and volunteered for foreign service and served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1st Battn (50th Foot) Queen's Own West Kent Regiment in June 1915. On 22 July 1916 he was seen to be wounded while leading his men into action at High Wood and was later presumed to have died that day. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument. A comrade wrote "He went into action like a brave Britisher and a gentleman with not the slightest fear of death."

Donald Ryan Leatherdale