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Private Alexander Leopold

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is not clear, other than that he was Russian-born. It is possible that he was the first of nine children of Russian Jewish emigrés, tailor Philip Leopold and his wife Rose (née Betchunsky). At the time of the 1911 Census the Leopold family was living at 34 Roe Street, Belfast, although Alexander's name is not listed.

Leopold enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 21 or 22 August 1916 (No.2241). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France later that year or in early 1917.

On 17 May 1917, however, he was transferred to the Labour Corps (No.217161). He remained with that regiment until the end of the war.

Leopold is listed in the British Jewry Book of Honour as Private L. Leopold [sic], 17th Labour Company.

Two newspaper articles referring to Leopold are shown below.

 

Belfast Telegraph, 6 October 1926

 

Belfast Telegraph, 2 July 1927