The Soldiers

15/466. Pte/2^nd  Lt S L Hitchen

Born.1894 Leeds
Killed in action 7/6 1916. Age 24.

Stanley Lucas Hitchen, the youngest son of Myles Coupland Dixon and JemimaWatson Hitchen was born in Leeds in 1894. he was educated at Woodhouse Grove School, Apperly Bridge, playing for the school rugby team. On leaving school, along with his brother Clarence Percy Coupland, he joined his fathers firm of Messrs M.C Hitchen & sons, trimming manufacturers of 135 and 139 Kirkgate, 129 Briggate, and also 44 Leeds Rd Harrogate.

In September 1914, whilst living with his parents at "Hillsbrough", 44 Leeds Road, Harrogate, he enlisted as a private soldier into the Leeds Pals. Whilst serving with the "Pals" he specialised in signalling and machine gun work.

Early in 1915 the city of Leeds decided to form a "Bantam" battalion, which became the 17^th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (2^nd  "Leeds Pals")

Stanley applied for officer training, and probably because of his education, gained his commission in the 7^th June 1915, as a 2^nd Lt with the newly formed 17^th  battalion West Yorkshire Regiment

He went to France with the "Bantams" in January 1916

2^nd  Lt Lucas Hitchen was killed in action on the 7^th   June 1916, aged 24      

He is buried in Le Touret Military Cemetery, France   

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