Remembering our ‘Chocolate Soldier’

Aspecial commemorative event was held in Leek recently to honour a First World War soldier.

Wednesday, February 15, saw the 100th anniversary of the death of the Leek First World War soldier Ted Hassall whose words achieved fame many miles distance from his home town.

Ted’s letters to a Cornish family sit in an archive in the Imperial War Museum and have inspired a book, a play and a national radio broadcast.

Hassall as an artillery man was in a trench during the Somme battle in 1916 and picked up a wrapper from a chocolate bar sent as a present to front line soldiers by a six year old Joan Burridge of Wadebridge.

Ted Hassall – who later became known as the ‘Chocolate Soldier’ - replied to the young girl and this began a correspondence with the Burridge family that continued throughout the war.

Burridge’s letters describe the many battles that he saw Somme, Ypres, Arras and Amiens from 1916 to 1918. They are informative, discursive, funny and poignant as Ted outlines why he thinks the war was fought and his hopes for the future

Ted ended the war a broken man carrying back to Leek the illness that killed him aged 40 in 1923. He was married briefly although the couple had no children.

He is buried in Leek cemetery – where a special event was held last Wednesday to commemorate 100 years since he died.

Leek Town Mayor, councillor Bill Cawley, who co-wrote a short memoir with fellow Leek councillor and historian Richard Benefer, delivered a graveside address for the event which saw members of the Hassall family and the British Legion also present.

Cllr Cawley said: “The graveside tribute to Ted Hassall ‘the Chocolate Soldier’ went well on the 100th anniversary of his death.

“Thanks to colleagues, great nephew and RBL for turning out.”

Fellow Leek town councillor Matt Swindlehurst also attended the event. He said: “A small but very moving ceremony this morning at the graveside of Ted Hassall, known affectionately as ‘The Chocolate Soldier.’

“Leek Town Mayor Bill Cawley was joined by our friends in The Royal British Legion.

“Guest of honour was Ted’s great nephew, Richard who shared his family memories.

“Although Ted survived the horrors of the trenches he was broken by the experience and so we marked the centenary of his passing.”

Commemorative event photos by Matt Swindlehurst.

Belinda Hargreaves

Contents Editor news@timesandecho.co.uk

Jane Walters

Advertising Sales jane@timesandecho.co.uk 07817128582

Victoria Snape

Tracey Redfern

Design & Production

Times, Echo & Life Publications

18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1BD Tel: 01538 752214 www.timesechoandlife.co.uk news@timesandecho.co.uk

Spring is a fabulous time of year when Mother Nature really does smile upon us as we start to witness lots of signs of new life as we walk out in the great outdoors.

And what a lovely scenic area of England we live in to be able to see such wonders. I particularly love taking a wander up The Roaches with the pooch to take in the Spring air and all the lovely aspects it brings.

In our little town of Leek, we have an exciting year ahead with many new projects emerging including revamps at the Nicholson Institute, Brough Park Leisure Centre and the Trestle Market. These are thanks to the millions of pounds which have been awarded to the town from the Government’s Levelling Up Funding. Please see our sister weekly newspaper of the Leek & Moorlands Echo for updates on this and all other news in our area.

As I think about the joy of Spring and feel blessed to be living in a town like Leek, my heart goes out to all involved in the multitude

EDITOR’S LETTER

of tragedies across the world. The on-going war in Ukraine, and the fatal earthquakes of Turkey and Syria, are just two such devastating situations which are currently occurring in our world.

In this edition of the Leek Life Magazine, we feature an inspirational article about two of our residents who have joined in on a large convoy of vans full of aid to help those in war-torn Ukraine.

On a lighter note, we also catch up with one of our fundraising stalwarts who has reached an amazing amount which she has raised for a national charity which is close to her heart; we also take a look at what’s coming up for this years ever-popular Leek Arts Festival; and we have, as always, our wonderful regular informative contributions from a variety of lovely Leek folk.

If you have a story to tell about life in Leek – please email me at hargreavespr@outlook.com.

Until next time – take care!

Belinda