Lance Corporal James Hanson Leighton

 

 

James Hanson Leighton was born on 22 October 1899 in Manhattan, New York, USA, the first of two children of Irish-born parents, farmer William Leighton and his wife Rachel (née Curry). Soon after, they moved to Ireland, farming at Cashel, Macosquin, County Londonderry. At the time of the 1911 Census James was living at Cahshel with his parents and brother.

Leighton enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Ballymena on 23 August 1915 (No. UD/282 – later Corps of Dragoons No.21282). He gave his age as 19 (he was only 15) and his occupation as a farmer.

The squadron, which had been formed as divisional cavalry for the 36th (Ulster) Division, embarked for France on 6 October 1915. A party of at least thirty men, including Leighton, embarked three days earlier, attached to 36th Division Headquarters. Like most if not all of them, Leighton was attached as a batmen to a senior officer. He remained in that role until 3 April 1916, when he rejoined his squadron.

On 19 May he was deprived of seven days' pay for improper conduct whilst on stable night guard.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps.

On 11 September 1916 Leighton fell ill, suffering from appendicitis. Nine days later he was evacuated to England, where he was admitted to the 3rd Northern General Hospital at Sheffield. There an appendectomy was carried out. Following his recovery he was posted to the Inniskillings reserve squadron at Enniskillen.

On 22 March 1918 he was promoted to lance corporal.

Through 1916 to 1918 Leighton was hospitalised a number of times for various aliments, including diphtheria, bronchitis, tonsilitis, mumps and German measles. A medical board on 6 December 1918 reported that he suffered from a right inguinal hernia, originating at Enniskillen the previous February. "Patient states that whilst jumping during his duties he felt pain in R groin and afterwards noticed a swelling which has become progressively worse."

The following day he was discharged from the army, being 'surplus to military requirements, having suffered impairment since entry into the service' (paragraph 392(xvi)(a), King's Regulations).

Leighton returned to farming at Cashel. On 14 April 1920 he married Annie McAfee in the New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine. Their first child was born later that year. The family emigrated to the United States in February 1921, settling in New York. Leighton died at Hackensack, Bergen, New Jersey, on 13 October 1976.

 

Image sourced from Ancestry.com Public Member Trees – contributor Mary Noodermeer.

 

This page last updated 6 August 2023.