LEIGHTON Alfred Thomas

Alfred Leighton was the son of Allen and Hannah Leighton of Lye and by 1944 he was married to Dorothy. He enlisted in the Ox and Bucks and was posted to the 1st Battalion in the 53rd (Welsh) Division. This was a first line Territorial Division which did not see active service until 1944. The battalion landed in Normandy on the 25th June as part of the follow up force and went into the front line during the long struggle for Caen. The town was stubbornly defended and no fewer than eight Panzer divisions were brought up for Rommel’s attempt to drive the Allies back to the beaches. The 53rd were heavily involved throughout July in this grim struggle for supremacy. The final German attack was another great Panzer attack at Mortain. It was a great mistake and the German forces risked disaster by being cut off in the Falaise pocket. On the 7th August the Ox and Bucks were part of Operation Totalize, a major attack by 12 Corps and the Canadians to break through to Falaise and close the jaws of the pocket. It was virtually the end of German resistance in Normandy. The casualties of Operation Totalize, however, included Lance Sergeant Alfred Leighton who was killed in action on the 13th August.

The following information has been researched by John Barry:
1939 Register
16 Tw**y Road, Stourbridge
Arthur Leighton, born 18th February 1883, Gas Works G. Labourer Heavy Worker
Hannah Leighton, born 20th March 1884, Housewife
Albert Leighton, born 11th May 1914, Horse Shoe maker Furnaceman Heavy Worker
Leon Leighton, born 3rd June 1921, Gas Works *illers Labourer Heavy Worker
Evelyn M. Leighton, born 13th February 1924, Carrier Enamel Works
Horace Leighton, born 27th December 1927, At School