Major Alan Leadbetter

Major Alan Edmonstone Greenshields- Leadbetter, “L” Battery, 15th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery.  He was killed in action in Belgium on 4th August 1917, aged 21, during the Battle of Third Ypres. He had been born in Biggar in 1896 and was the son of Thomas and Mary Greenshields-Leadbetter of Spital Tower, Denholm and is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. He had been educated in Crieff and Rugby School and was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy in February 1915. He had seen Service at Gallipoli and Egypt before moving to France in March 1916. He was wounded on the Somme in November 1916 and was evacuated home before returning to France where he was promoted Captain in May 1917 ant to Major in July. His headstone is inscribed ” His Short Race Was Well Run”. The R.H.A. used the quick firing 13 pounder gun as in the photographs.