Herbert Peter Ledbitter
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Surname Lidbetter later LedbitterHerbert Peter was born in Rusper, Sussex, and was the son of Lambert and Annie Ledbitter (née Rovery). His father Lambert was born in 1855 in Ilfield, Sussex, and his mother Annie/Ann Rovery was born in 1857, also in Ilfield. They were married in 1883 (A/M/J Brighton Sussex); the registration record gives Lambert's surname as 'Lidbetter'. Lambert and Annie had at least six children including Louisa who was born before their marriage. Six children were named on the census of 1891 and 1901: Louisa b. Ilfield, Leonard (prob. Leonard Alexander) b. Ilfield, Herbert Peter b. Rusper, Percy b. Rusper, Laura May b. Leigh and Annie b. Leigh. The registrations of the births of Leonard, Herbert and Percy were in the surname 'Lidbetter' but 'Ledbitter' for Laura and Annie. In 1891 Lambert (36), a gamekeeper, and Annie (34) were living at Nelders Wood, Leigh, Reigate, Surrey, with their four children, Louisa (12), Leonard (7), Herbert (5) and Percy (2). Also in the household was Annie's sister, Alice Rovery (21), a housemaid/domestic servant.The family was living at Mayfield, near Uckfield, Sussex, by 1901. Lambert (45) was still working as a gamekeeper. Only four of their children were in the home on the night of the census: Leonard (16) an assistant gamekeeper, Percy (11), Laura May (7) and Annie (6). Louisa was working as a domestic servant in Cowden, Sussex, and Herbert may have been living in Tunbridge Wells as there is a census record of a Herbert Ledbitter (14 b. Sussex) who was a boarder in the household of Giles Bearsby (60), a corn and coal merchant, and his housekeeper. The census does not show whether Herbert was at school or in work.In 1911 Lambert [Ledbetter] was probably a boarder at Gatwick Lodge, Horley, Surrey, in the household of Harry and Elizabeth Backshall, and working as a farm labourer. Neither Lambert's wife Annie nor their two children, Leonard and Annie, have yet been traced on the 1911 Census. Percy (21) was serving in the 1st Dorset Regiment (private) and was in barracks at Farnborough, Hampshire. Louisa had married in 1907 (Mills) and was living with her husband and their two children in Maidstone, Kent. Visiting them on the night of the census was her sister, Laura May (18), a domestic servant/housemaid. Herbert was a divinity student boarding at The Sacred Mission at Kelham, Newark on Trent. His age was given as 22 which corresponds with the year of birth from another record and his age when he died (CWGC) although this has not been confirmed with a birth registration.Herbert was later appointed curate at St Augustine Church Hackney, London. The probate record gave his address as St Augustine's Rectory, Hackney, Middlesex; his father was his executor.De Ruvigney's ROH (see 'Extra information') gives Herbert's mother's address as 13 Framingham Road, Jarvis Brook, Sussex. Lambert Ledbitter probably died in 1925 (O/N/D Horsham Sussex).
He enlisted in 1914, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps as a private. In October 1915 he gained a commission as a chaplain to the forces. From 25th February 1916 he served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and from 1st November in Flanders. He died at Le Treport Camp on 28th February 1917 from cerebral spinal meningitis and was buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, Seine-Maritime, France (Plot 2. Row O. Grave 3).
Herbert Ledbitter's mother later lived in Crowborough, Sussex, and Herbert is also commemorated on: WMR 17145, All Saints Church, Chapel Green, Crowborough.De Ruvigny Roll of Honour 1914-1919 gives the following account :- 'Captain The Reverend, second son of Lambert Ledbitter by his wife Annie of 13 Framingham Road, Jarvis Brook, Sussex. Born Rusper Sussex 14th October 1889, he was educated at the Kelham Hall Theological College Newark on Trent, he was appointed curate at St Augustine Church Huggerston. He enlisted in 1914, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps as a private. In October 1915 he was given a commission as a chaplain to the forces. From 25th February 1916 he served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 1st November. He died at Le Treport Camp on 28th February 1917 from cerebral spinal meningitis contracted whilst on active service, he is buried in the British Military Cemetery at Le Treport. The Reverend H W Fox wrote of him " We all loved him and both the YMCA workers and non conformists chaplain's have asked me to express their sympathy with you. I think you will like to know how good a work your son did during the 4 months he was here and no one could have been more whole hearted in his work.'Probate proven London 30th August 1917: Reverend Herbert Peter Ledbitter of St Augustines Rectory, Hackney, Middlesex, a clerk died 28th February 1917 on active service in France. Effects £214 6 shillings and 5 pence. Administration awarded to Lambert Ledbitter, gentleman.
