Frederick Alfred Leman

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

109064

Unit at enlistment:

4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Soldiers' Plot, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Lancashire

Birth city:

Manchester

Address at enlistment:

42 Strathcona Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

42 Strathcona Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Farmer

Employer:

Verity Plow Co.

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX October 20, 1916

“Shell Shock” – It’s Real Meaning – Pte. Fred Alfred Leman Tells What He Suffered When Big Shell Burst

Pte. Frederick Alfred Leman, of this city, has been wounded, according to word received by Mr. J.S. Leman of 42 Strathcona Avenue. The casualty took place between the 12th and 17th of September but no further details were received. Pte. Leman had been in the trenches over 12 months going with the Second Contingent. Previous to the war he was employed at the Massey-Harris factory. He was a member of the Congregational P.S.A. Brotherhood and also a member of the football team.

A letter was received this week which had been written on Sept. 17. In part he said:

"I am at present in an ambulance rest camp getting better. No doubt by the papers you will have seen that I am suffering from shell shock. Believe me it’s no joke to find yourself under a foot or two of earth all of a sudden. That happened three times when I got the knock-out. A big high explosive shrapnel burst about ten feet above my head and a pellet hit my steel helmet, sending me about five yards. I woke up many minutes later with a head feeling like a soppy sponge. How I got out safe Heaven only knows, but it is the weirdest kind of a nightmare a fellow can go through. Canadian people have a big debt to pay to the boys who have fought out here. Every man jack is a qualified hero. I have seen them in the charges, been through it and therefore know a little. I have hopes of getting back but I am doubtful and will be until peace is declared. We have the Bosches whacked completely and their end is drawing near. Christmas, I hope, will see the finale.”

BX October 18, 1916

Today’s casualty list also gives the name of Pte. Fred Alfred Leman as having been wounded.

BX August 17, 1918

Good Wishes Expressed

July 26, 1918
From Somewhere in France

Sir,

Today the first Brantford paper reached us for the last nine months. In it was the account of the football match between the Toronto R.A.F. team and the local United. There are in this battalion eight or nine local boys and we sincerely hope that the boys at home will keep the football going. Success is bound to come from such efforts sooner or later, as the team on paper is a “corker.” It has the good players of the local league that was four years ago. The purpose of this is that you, if you will so oblige us, convey to the local committee (football) our sincere wishes for the future success of the club, also accept same yourself for your paper. On behalf of the boys, we remain, two of the sporting fraternity.

BX January 25, 1963

Frederick Leman

Frederick A. (Fred) Leman, 68 of 221 Sydenham Street, died Friday in the Brantford General Hospital. Born in Manchester, England, he had lived in Brantford for the past 51 years. Mr. Leman was a veteran of the First World War, leaving Canada with the 4th C.M.R., later transferring in England to the 5th C.M.R. He served overseas from 1914 to 1919, and with the Army of Occupation in Germany, after the war. Mr. Leman was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 90 and had been employed at the post office for 24 years, retiring in 1954. He was well-known to sports fans as being an ardent sports enthusiast. After retirement he managed the Central Bowling Alley here. He was a member of St. James’ Anglican Church, a member of the choir, former superintendent of Sunday schools, and a former member of the board of management. Surviving besides his wife, the former Edith Rumble, are his stepmother, Mrs. Beatrice Simmons of Toronto; three sons, Raymond of Calgary, Kenneth of Paris, and Cyril of Ancaster; two daughters, Mrs. Edward (Dorothy) Groves of St. Catharines, and Irene at home; two brothers, Arthur of Willowdale and Cyril of Stouffville; and 11 grandchildren. Mr. Leman is at the Hill and Robinson Funeral Home until Monday for service at St. James’ Church at 2 p.m. Interment will be in the Soldiers’ Plot, Mount Hope Cemetery. Rev. F.A. Cook will officiate.