Biography-Major Alan Edmonstoune Greenshields Leadbetter, RFA
Born 28 August 1896; the younger son of Thomas Greenshields Leadbetter and Mary Leadbetter (daughter of Sir John Usher) of Swinton House, Duns, Berwickshire.
Educated at Rugby School from May 1910 to 1914
Gentleman Cadet, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich (passed in 9th and out 5th)
Went to Gallipoli in April 1915 and stayed until the last night of the evacuation.
Served with 92nd Battery, RFA from 2 Jun 15 to 18 Jul 15
From 19 Jul 15 to 27 Aug 15, Orderly Officer, 17th Brigade, RFA
Adjutant 17th Brigade, RFA from 28 Aug 15 to 26 Jul 16
Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 13 July 16 “for coolness, gallantry and hard work, often under heavy fire. Showed capabilities far beyond his years.” (Gallipoli, 1915, while serving with 17 Brigade, RFA).
Posted to 460th Battery, RFA from 27 Jul 16 to 14 Nov 16; wounded in action on 14 Nov 16. Invalided home for five months and then took a course at the Salisbury Plain Gunnery School.
Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 4 Jan 17. “Somme, 1916, For excellent work as Adjutant 17th Brigade, RFA, and Right Group during the operations in the Beaumont Hamel sector from July 1st to September 3rd. Has been untiring in his work which has been performed in a most energetic and satisfactory manner. Although very young, he has carried out the arduous staff duties of Staff Officer to a large Group, sometimes consisting of nine and ten batteries, with marked success.”
Served as a Captain with 92nd Battery, RFA from 1 Jun 17 to 22 Jul 17
Posted to L Battery, RHA as a Captain on 23 July 17 and served with it until killed in action.
Killed in action on the Yser Canal, Flanders on 4 August 1917. During the advance across the canal he was preparing a new forward observation position for his Battery when two Taubes came over and observed the working party. Soon afterwards the enemy shelled the position heavily and he was killed instantaneously. At the time of his death he was 20. Buried at the Canada Farm Military Cemetery near Elverdinghe.
Appointed as an Acting Major in the London Gazette of 22 November 1917.
His brother was Major James Greenshields Greenshields Leadbetter, MC, Machine Gun Corps.
There is an excellent photo of him in the last mentioned reverence below.
Sources: 29th Divisional Artillery War Record and Honours Book 1915-1918; Rugby School Register Annotated, 1892-1921; Memorials of Rugbeians Who Fell in the Great War , Volume V.