Private Albert Leigh 5485478. 2nd Bn. Hampshire Regiment

1897 Born (from Irish GRO death) The only one in Hants at this time is Albert Slocum Leigh b1898 Oct/Dec at South Stoneham (suburb of Southampton today)

There is not enough information to get further with his life

1920 Nov 1 Died in Piltown Ambush

• The R.I.C. in Ardmore Barracks and the Marines in the Coastguard Station were attacked simultaneously by a small party of Volunteers
• These were only mock attacks to lure the military and police out from Youghal
• The phone wires were left uncut, so that messages for assistance could be sent from the R.I.C. to the military in Youghal.
• The Active Service Unit and local company volunteers took up their positions at Piltown Cross, on the Youghal/Ardmore road at 8.30pm. The road was trenched, and a tree felled, just at the Cross.
• At 9.45 Mills bombs were thrown into the RIC station and the Coastguard station
• A combined force of military and R.I.C. out from Youghal, as expected. There were about 20 men in a single lorry. And arrived around midnight
• When they reached the road blockage, the lorry had to stop and the Volunteers opened fire.
• Therre were 18 men under the command of George Lennon. 6 men were noth of the cross and two groups of 6 to the south.
• The driver of the lorry was shot, and others wounded, and an officer jumped over the fence, in an effort to get away, but fell into the hands of the shotgun men.
• The Volunteers charged the enemy, who very quickly surrendered, due to the surprise element attack.
• One policeman who was particularly wanted was captured, but he gave an undertaking to resign from the force, and after being disarmed was released. The policeman who had promised to resign, failed to do so, and Prenderville was later shot by a sniper in Youghal on Dec 6..
• Twenty-six rifles, two carbines, Mills bombs, revolvers, Verey lights and pistols were captured. 
• Private Leigh was killed and 2 other soldiers wounded. The IRA reported two British soldiers died, but I cannot substantiate that in British records
• the lorry could not be re-started so the Volunteers procured some donkeys and carts, and allowed the enemy to take the wounded back to Youghal.
• The A.S.U. then withdrew towards Clashmore and Cappoquin while the men of the local companies returned home.

Buried Broughton (St Mary) Churchyard , Hants

British soldiers died in Ireland