James's Story.
Northwich Guardian. Friday, 4 August 1916.
PRIVATE J. LEATHER.
News has been received of the death in action of Private James Leather, of the Cheshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leather, of Warrington-road, Northwich. He enlisted in the first month of the war and had seen twelve months' service in the battle zone. He has another brother serving with the Colours. He was 23 years of age.
On the 15 August it was confirmed that James was still alive.
“DEAD” SON WRITES HOME.
OLD NORTHWICH FOOTBALLER'S JOY.
After mourning the supposed death of their son, Private James Leather, of the Cheshire Regiment, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leather, of 45, Warrington-road, Northwich, were on Monday morning delighted to receive a letter from their son. In it he said:—
“Just a few lines to say that I am in the pink, and I hope that you are the same. Who told you that I had been killed? You need not upset yourself, I am still living. When I saw the news in the paper, I was surprised, never mind, keep your heart up.”
As if to give his parents still further assurance of his being in the land of the living, Private Leather has got Sergeant A. Cruise, of his battalion, to endorse the letter as follows:—
“I am glad to say that your son, Jim, is still alive. Don’t believe the rumours about him being dead.”
The news of Private Leather’s supposed death was conveyed in letters received from two local soldiers.
Private Leather’s father will be known to many of the older supporters of the Northwich Football Club as “Tipper” Leather, the Vics’ goalkeeper in their Second League days.
Northwich Guardian. Tuesday 15 August 1916.
James was killed in October during the fighting at Stuff Redoubt.
On the 15 August it was confirmed that James was still alive.
“DEAD” SON WRITES HOME.
OLD NORTHWICH FOOTBALLER'S JOY.
After mourning the supposed death of their son, Private James Leather, of the Cheshire Regiment, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leather, of 45, Warrington-road, Northwich, were on Monday morning delighted to receive a letter from their son. In it he said:—
“Just a few lines to say that I am in the pink, and I hope that you are the same. Who told you that I had been killed? You need not upset yourself, I am still living. When I saw the news in the paper, I was surprised, never mind, keep your heart up.”
As if to give his parents still further assurance of his being in the land of the living, Private Leather has got Sergeant A. Cruise, of his battalion, to endorse the letter as follows:—
“I am glad to say that your son, Jim, is still alive. Don’t believe the rumours about him being dead.”
The news of Private Leather’s supposed death was conveyed in letters received from two local soldiers.
Private Leather’s father will be known to many of the older supporters of the Northwich Football Club as “Tipper” Leather, the Vics’ goalkeeper in their Second League days.
Northwich Guardian. Tuesday 15 August 1916.
James was killed in October during the fighting at Stuff Redoubt.
Northwich Guardian, 3 November, 1916.