Daniel Leadbeater

Sergeant Daniel Leadbeater, M.M. served with the 2/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment (Robin Hood Rifles), was killed in action on 21st March 1918, he has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

He was presented with the Military Medal in Nottingham on 14th December 1917. The report of the presentation detailed the action for which it was won.(published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 14th December 1917) “BRAVE ROBIN HOOD. “MAYOR OF NOTTINGHAM PRESENTS MILITARY MEDAL. “Sergt. Daniel Leadbeater, Notts, and Derby Regiment, whose home is situated in Lenton-street, Hyson Green, and who is at present on leave, attended the Exchange Hall, Nottingham, today, [14th December 1917] and was presented by the Mayor (Mr. J. G. Small) with the Military Medal recently awarded to him in recognition of conspicuous gallantry. Leadbeater went to the front in Feb., 1915, with the Robin Hoods, under the command Col. C. W. Birkin. C.M.G., and has remained on active service on the western front ever since. On one occasion he was slightly wounded, but resumed the performance of his duties after a brief rest. The Military Medal was awarded to him for bravery on September 12th when a 77 mm. shell fell on a machine gun, buried the team, and caused the ammunition to explode. Sergt. Leadbeater at once went to the assistance of the team and started to dig them out regardless of the fact that the ammunition was still exploding. It was undoubtedly due to his efforts that the one man who was completely buried was got out alive and two others were rescued from a nasty position. He displayed the greatest coolness and promptitude throughout. “In making the presentation, the Mayor remarked upon the fact that Leadbeater was amongst those who marched out of Nottingham early in August, 1914. He had always felt that on the departure of the Robin Hoods the citizens scarcely availed themselves to the full of the opportunity to wish them “God-speed” but he was confident that when the time came to welcome home their brave soldiers, there would be no lack of enthusiasm. They would always remember the gallant and wonderful deeds of the men who had gone to war from Nottingham, some, alas, only too many never to return again. Many had achieved personal distinction and brought honour upon the city which was proud to own them. Mr. Small said he esteemed it a privilege to make the presentation, to one who had displayed such courage, and expressed the hope that when the time arrived to welcome home the Battalion. Leadbeater would be one of the distinguished members whom the city would gladly honour.” Another report published the following day gave the full citation (Nottingham Evening Post 15th December 1917) “A GALLANT SERGEANT. “Another Nottingham Man Decorated by the Mayor. “Daniel Leadbeater, of Lenton-street, Hyson Green, who went to the front with the Nottingham Territorials in August, 1914, and has fought throughout the campaign, was decorated by the Mayor (Mr. J. G. Small) at the Exchange Hall, yesterday, [14th December 1917] with the Military Medal bestowed on him for gallantry thus described in the official record: –– “Near Cambrai on September 12th, 1917, a 77mm. shell fell on a Stokes gun, burying the team and causing the ammunition to explode. Sergeant Leadbeater at once went to the assistance of the team and started to dig them out, regardless of the fact that the ammunition was still exploding. It is undoubtedly due to his efforts that the one man who completely buried was got out alive and the other two rescued from a nasty position. He displayed the greatest coolness and promptness throughout. “In addition to the Mayor there were present the Mayoress, the Sheriff and Mrs. Offiler, Sir Thomas Birkin, Colonel C. W. Birkin (who commanded the Robin Hoods when they left for France), Ald. Sir J. T. McCraith, and Colonel Donajowsky. “After pinning on the medal the Mayor cordially shook Sergeant Leadbeater by the hand, and introduced him to a number of those present. He had always felt,said Mr. Small, that the citizens of Nottingham did not make full use of the opportunity to say good-bye when the Robin Hoods left the city, but he was sure that when the time came for their return there would not be any lack of enthusiasm. They would always have a clear view of the gallant and wonderful deeds performed by those brave men, too many of whom, alas! would never return. Many of them had covered themselves with distinction personally, and brought honour and glory to city. “You, Sergeant Leadbeater,” he concluded, “are one of those, and it is a pleasing privilege to present you with this medal. We all wish that the good luck that has attended you so far and the courage you have displayed may continue to the end, and that when the day does come to welcome back the battalion you may be one of them.” (Applause.)” Obituary published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 21st March 1919:- LEADBEATER. – In memory of my dear husband, Sergt. D. Leadbeater, Sherwood Foresters, killed March 21st, 1918. Those who loved him miss him most. – Loving wife, two children.” Above articles and obituary is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.