Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Sleath, born on the 17th March 1844 in Belgrave, Leicester and baptised on the 7th April 1844 in St. Peter’s Church, Belgrave (son of William Sleath, 1800-1876 and Ann Rodwell, 1807-1876) and his wife Mary Sleath (nee Martin), born 1838 in Humberstone, Leicester. Thomas was born in the January quarter of 1870 in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, his siblings were, Mary Ann, born on the 12th February 1866 in Humberstone, Leicester and William Henry, born on the 9th October 1867 in Long Eaton, in April 1871 the family home was at Trent Cottages, Long Eaton. Thomas’ mother died aged 40 in the April quarter of 1878 in Belgrave, Leicester. In April 1881 Thomas was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 7, Beaumont Road, Belgrave, together with his widowed father, a bricklayer’s labourer and his siblings, Mary, a housekeeper, William, a schoolboy and Elizabeth Ann, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1877 in Belgrave. In April 1891 Thomas was absent from the family home at Elm Street, Belgrave, residing there was his father, a stationary engine stoker, his step mother, Mary Sleath (formerly Kinton, married in the January quarter of 1890 in Leicester), born 1842 in Cropston, Leicestershire, his sister, Elizabeth, a shoe trade clicker and a step son, Charles F. Kinton, a shoe trade machinist, born 1872 in Belgrave. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a general carter and was residing in the family home at 25, Lexham Street, Leicester, together with his wife Louisa Sleath (nee Black, married on the 21st December 1897 in the Register Office, Leicester), born on the 20th April 1864 in Anstey, Leicestershire and their son, Edgar Alfred, born on the 17th January 1900 in Leicester. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a labourer and carter and was residing in the family home at 5, Little Avenue, Checketts Road, Leicester, together with his wife Louisa, a boot trade machinist and their children, Edgar, a schoolboy, Frances Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 9th September 1901 and Percy Charles, a schoolboy, born on the 17th August 1903, both children were born in Leicester. Thomas and Louisa’s eldest son Edgar, died aged 17 in the April quarter of 1917 in the Ashby de la Zouch, district.
Thomas enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 3rd September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 12283. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 34 years 190 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as labourer.
He confirmed that he had previously served with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment for 12 years.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 3rd September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Belgrave, Leicester, declared age as 34 years 190 days, trade or occupation as labourer, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 36 and 38 inches and his physical development was described as good.
His description on enlistment recorded his height as 5-feet 6 inches weight 140 lbs, chest measurement of between 36 and 38 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, lady left forearm, island right. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army Reserve. Date 3rd September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Louisa Sleath. Children, Edgar Alfred, 14, Annie, 12, Percy, 10, 5, Little Avenue, Belgrave, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 3/9/14.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/9/14.
Commenced. Recruits Training. 3/9/14.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 4/1/15.
Embarked. From Southampton, to join the British Expeditionary Force. 4/1/15.
Admitted. To 20th Brigade Field Ambulance, sarcoma. In the Field. 23/10/15.
Transferred. To 12th General Hospital. 23/10/15.
Transferred. Per Hospital Ship St. Patrick to England. 28/10/15.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 30/10/15.
Died at Torbay Hospital, Torquay, tumour of left breast. 14/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 3/9/14 – 3/1/15. 93 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 4/1/15 – 29/10/15. 299 days.
Home Service. 30/10/15 – 14/11/15. 16 days.
Total Service. 1 year 43 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 12th May 1916 Thomas’ widow Louisa was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty-three shillings and six pence, to commence on the 15th May 1916.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service. On Monday, November 22nd, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – MILITARY FUNERAL AT HUGGLESCOTE. – On Saturday afternoon the body of Private Thomas Sleath, 2nd Leicester’s, formerly No.8, Little-avenue, Checkett’s-road, Belgrave, was laid to rest in Hugglescote Cemetery, near Coalville, military honours being accorded the deceased, who died the previous Sunday following an operation in a military hospital at Torquay after nearly a year’s active service with his battalion in France. The deceased soldier, who was 45 years of age, served about seven and a half years in the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and four and a half years in the Army Reserve. On completing his Army engagement, he re-joined the colours, going into the 2nd Leicester’s. His parchment certificate on discharge stated that his conduct in the 1st Battalion was “very good.” His foreign service included Bermuda, Nova Scotia and Jamaica. He left his battalion at the latter station. Private Sleath re-enlisted on the 3rd September, 1914, and went to France in December of the same year, since when his wife and children had not seen him alive. The deceased was in Torquay a fortnight, and underwent the operation (as he wrote to his wife) for, “a lump in his chest.” Mrs. Sleath anticipated that the operation had been successful, and intended paying him a visit, but was painfully surprised to be notified of his death. The body was sent to the address of his sister, Mrs. W. Cooper, 98, Crescent-road, Hugglescote, where a firing party and a bearer party from Wigston Depot paraded, and accompanied the remains to the cemetery. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. The Rev. R. P. Farrow, curate, conducted the first portion of the service at the Parish Church, and read the Committal service, after which three volleys were fired, and Bugler Sharp sounded the “Last Post.” The mourners included the widow and children of the deceased and other immediate relatives, who with friends contributed floral tokens. Captain W. E. Stevenson, recruiting officer, of Coalville, and Colour Sergeant Dye, of the recruiting office, also attended the funeral.
On Wednesday, November 24th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. - WOUNDED AND MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. THOMAS SLEATH, 2nd Leicester’s, who died at Torquay, on the 14th November. He lived at No.5, Little-avenue, Checkett’s-road, Leicester.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday November 19th, 1915

Leicester Soldier's Death - Military Funeral at Hugglescote Tomorrow

The death has occurred in hospital at Torquay, after an operation, of Pte. Thomas Sleath, a Belgrave man, who is in the Leicesters, and was living at Belgrave when the war broke out. He was 45 years of age and leaves a widow and three children who are now lodging in rooms at Stone Row, Coalville. A sister of the deceased is Mrs W. Cooper, of 98, Crescent Road, Hugglescote, and the body has been removed there preparatory to the funeral, which is to take place with military honours at the new cemetery, Hugglescote, on Saturday afternoon, leaving Crescent Road at 2.30 pm. Deceased was formerly in the regular army and had just completed his term in the Reserve when war broke out, but he volunteered, and had been at the front for 13 months when he was taken ill and was invalided to England for the operation.

Coalville Times article - Friday 26th, 1915

Military Funeral at Hugglescote - Soldier's Death in Hospital

The funeral took place with military honours at Hugglescote Cemetery on Saturday afternoon of Pte. Thomas Sleath, of the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, who had been 14 months at the front in France and died after an operation in a military hospital at Torquay. He was 45 years of age and leaves a widow and three children who reside at Stone Row, Coalville, while several of his relatives are at Hugglescote. He was a Leicester man employed as a carter, having resided at Belgrave practically all his life except when in the army. He was 7 ½ years in the 17th Leicester Regiment, of which 5 ½ years were spent abroad, in India and elsewhere and he served 1 ½ years in the Reserve, completing 12 years, leaving the army with an excellent character. He had just finished his time as a reservist when the war broke out and he volunteered.

The funeral took place from the residence of his sister, Mrs W. Cooper, of Crescent Road, Hugglescote, and was witnessed by a large concourse of people. At most of the houses en route blinds were drawn. The service, the first portion of which was held in the parish church was conducted by the Rev. R. P. Farrow (curate).

The chief mourners present were the widow and three children; Mrs Cooper (Hugglescote) Mrs Chapman (Coalville) and Mrs Hubbard (Desford), sisters, and their husbands; Mr W. Sleath (Belgrave), brother and wife; Mr and Mrs Thorpe (Leicester), Mr A. Sleath and Miss E. Bishop (Belgrave), Mr M. Cooper (Hugglescote) and Mrs Finney (Belgrave).

The cortege was headed by a firing party of Leicesters from Wigston Barracks, marching with arms reversed, and Capt. Stevenson (recruiting officer) Sergt-Major Dye and Police-Inspector Dobney (Coalville) were also in the procession. Half a dozen soldiers in khaki uniform acted as bearers. The coffin was covered with Union Jack and on the breastplate was the inscription: “Private T. Sleath, died November 14th, 1915, aged 45 years.” At the conclusion of the ceremony in the cemetery, the firing party fired three volleys over the grave, and a bugler sounded “The Last Post.”

Handsome floral tributes were sent by the widow and family, Mr and Mrs W. Sleath, Mr and Mrs W. Cooper, Mr and Mrs Hubbard, Mr and Mrs A. Chapman, Mr and Mrs Thorpe, Mr M. Cooper and Miss Davenport, and Mr A. Sleath and Misses E. Bishop.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 16th, 1917.

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Pte. T. Sleath, who died at Torbay Hospital, of wounds received in France, November 14th, 1915. Aged 42 years. Interred in Hugglescote Cemetery.

“Farewell, dear husband, father dear,
From this sad life of toil and care;
Let’s hope to meet in Heaven above,
And re-unite in God’s own love.”

From his sorrowing Wife and Children.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 19th, 1918

COALVILLE WAR WIDOW’S RENT

HOUSE AGENT’S GENEROUS OFFER

At the Coalville Police Court, on Friday, George H. Hewes, house agent, Ravenstone, on behalf of Mr W. J. Gibbs, applied for an ejectment order against Louisa Sleath, widow, Coalville.

The woman said she was a war widow, her husband, having been brought from the war, died in hospital and was buried at Hugglescote. She also recently lost a boy of 18 after a long illness. A boy, 14 ½ was her sole support and she had not been able to pay the rent.

Mr Hewes said over £3 was owing for rent. The woman had a pension of £1/1/0 a week for herself, and had a boy at the pit and a girl working and there were no other dependents. Answering the clerk, the woman said her Government pension was £1/1/8 per week, and her boy earned £1/0/8 per week. The girl was working at the aircraft factory at Loughborough.

Mr Hewes said the rent was 3/6 per week, and he would give her all the arrears if she would get out of the house. She was a Leicester woman and could get a home in Leicester. Defendant said she did not want to go back to Leicester. She was willing to pay the rent arrears by instalments.

Mr Hewes said the woman’s premises were no good. She was rarely at home when he went for the rent. The Bench made an order for possession to be given up within 30 days. The clerk told the woman that if she paid up the rent, she might be allowed to remain. The costs were 2/3, which would have fallen on the woman, but Mr Hewes said he would pay it.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 10/09/2017