Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Leeson, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1845 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and his wife Mary Leeson (nee Brown, married in the 3rd quarter of 1867 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district), born 1845 in Hinckley, who was the daughter of James and Emma Brown of Hinckley. Ernest Bertie, a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1886 in Leicester, his siblings were, Ada, a hosiery trade worker, born 1875, John William, a schoolboy, born 1878 and Jim, a schoolboy, born 1885, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 17, Woodhouse Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a Borough street sweeper, and was residing in the family home at 17, Woodhouse Street, Leicester, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, John, a packing case maker, and Jim, a bricklayer’s labourer. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a hosiery trade general labourer and was residing in the family home at 22, Hampden Street, Leicester, together with his wife Beatrice Pryor Leeson (nee Benstead, married in the 2nd quarter of 1909 in the Leicester district), born 1887 in Luton, Bedfordshire, and their children, Harry, born 1906, Jim, born 1909 and Ernest, born 1911, all the children were born in Leicester, also residing with the family was his elder brother, James, a hosiery trade general labourer. Post April 1911, a daughter Beatrice M., was born in 1913 in Leicester.
The War Diary records: 1 May-15 - At 4.30am the enemy commenced heavy artillery bombardment to which our artillery commenced to reply at about 4.50am. A few shells landed on A Coys parapet which was breached in 4 places, also our communication trench on the left of A Coy, 2 dugouts being demolished. C Coy and their parapet suffered no damage, only one shell landing just in front of the parapet. On the right shells landed chiefly between the front line and the salient, only one shell landed in the salient which demolished a dugout, and also about supporting trench connecting PORT ARTHUR and SNIPERS house, this trench was unoccupied. On the right shells landed in rear of front line and also about parapet of supporting trench from SNIPERS house and east of it, which was also unoccupied. On the centre many shells landed round SNIPERS house, one landing in the long communication trench. About 5.00am the enemy apparently lengthened their -?- and shell appeared to be dotted northwards along the ESTAIRS Road. No shells landed in the work where the Reserve Coy is situated, though some fell short of it. Enemy’s bombardment ceased about 5.30am. One biplane and one monoplane of the enemy were above our lines from 5.30am to 9.30am. Our artillery breached enemy’s parapet in 8 places. Our casualties were 2nd Lt H. T. Dooley and 2 men killed and 18 NCO’s and men wounded. Enemy at no time showed themselves. Remainder of day was quiet. Breaches in our parapet were repaired by 11.00am. Our snipers accounted for two German snipers. All Regiments in Reserve were standing to for 8 hours during the early morning and -?- LA COUTURE was shelled.
On Saturday May 22nd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – Private Ernest Leeson, 2nd Leicester’s, whose wife and four children reside at 15, Russell Street, was killed in action on 1st May. He was formerly in the 3rd Leicester’s, but on the outbreak of war he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion. Before the war he was in the employ of Messrs. Carr Bros., Ltd., Royal East Street.
On Friday June 4th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – The following casualties amongst men of the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 12th May:-
KILLED.
Blunt, 9328, Lance Corporal F., Husey, 8353, Private H., Leeson, 9694, Private E., Smith, 6490, Lance Corporal J. W.
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Hope, 12794, Private J.
PRISONER OF WAR.
The name of Corpl. E. W Ward, 8562, Leicestershire Rgegiment, appears in an official list of prisoners of war received from the German Government.