: Edward was born in Bristol in 1883, the son of Edward Leigh and Eliza (nee Neale). His siblings were: Thomas (1885), Emily (1887), Margaret (1891), George (1893), Lilian (1895), Charles (1897) and Albert (1900).
In the 1901 census the family were living at 1 Maddocks Court, Bristol and Edward (18) was working as a baker. Edward had moved to Nailsworth by 1911 when he married Rose Loveday. In the 1911 census he was at the Wilts & Dorset Bank in Nailsworth working as a domestic man servant. His wife was with her mother and brother in Watledge. Edward and Rose had two children Ð Lilian May (1911) and Albert Edward William (1913).
Edward's service records have not survived, but it seems that he had served in the South African campaign with the 2nd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers, so it is likely that he re-enlisted (or was recalled) when war broke out. His medal record confirms that he was awarded the 1914 Star, and had served overseas from 24th August 1914.
: He was killed in action on 26th September 1915 aged 32 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. He is also remembered on the Woodchester Wayside Cross. His widow, Rose, remarried in 1919 to Arthur Tout, and they had a son, Walter, in 1922.
