Harry Leonard Kay (1898–1976

Lieutenant

(Royal) Army Service Corps M2/221651 381 MT Coy

Photos courtesy Diana Land (nèe Kay)

Harry Kay in WW1

Harry Kay in Ww1

Harry Kay in WW1

Biography
Harry Leonard Kay was usually known by his middle name, Leonard or Len. He was born on 22 January 1898 at Ambergate to Arthur and Hannah Kay. In 1910 he won a scholarship, Belper Higher Elementary School. His sister Ada Evelyn Kay married William Edwin Else who is also on the Roll of Honour. William Else also lived at Westleigh as did the Kay family.

From his driving licences we know he was in the ASC from 1916. He went through the ranks from Private to 2nd Lieutenant, which occurred in 1918. From his Service Book we know he remained in the RASC until the early twenties
Throughout the war, between 1914 and 1919, his mother Hannah Kay was Red + Township Leader of the Red Cross.

Len married Evelyn Marjorie Wright (known as Marjorie) in 1926, they had a son and daughter. The family lived at Cromford where Len died in 1976.

Harry Kay\'s marriage 1926

Len and Marjorie's wedding group 1926

After the war he was for many years a sergeant in the Special Police Force.

Special police force at Chatsworth after WW1

Front 3rd from left: Sergeant Leonard Kay, with medals, at Chatsworth with other Special Policemen

Army Service Book
Kay, Harry Leonard, DoB 22 January 1898. Regiment –RASC MT (Temporary)
Address: West Leigh, Ambergate, Nr Derby . Occupation: Training in Bank.
Next-of-kin: Arthur Kay (Father) West Leigh, Ambergate.
Anti-typhoid inoculation: 16/1/18, 2/2/18 H Leonard Kay 2nd Lt. ASC; 15/1/21 (T&B), 24/1/21(1&2)

General M.T. School of I, BEF France 14/5/18 to 30/5/18

Convoys Twickenham 1/4/18 to 18/4/18
Sydenham Depot 19/4/18 to 13/5/18
Central M.T. S of I BEF France 14/5/18 to 30/5/18
2nd Div MT Coy BEF (Light Div NT Coy) 1/6/18 to 7/11/19
Independent Div MT Coy Germany 8/11/19 to 19/3/20
Base M.T. Depot Cologne 20/3/20 to 24/3/20
612 (MT) Coy RASC York 7/4/20 to 31/5/20
No 1 Centre Bulford RASC 1/6/20 to 7/1/21
Persia and Mespot 10/2/21 to 30/10/21
India (Deolali) 13/11/21

Report: Lt Kay has shown marked ability as Roads Officer in charge of a section of lorries. He shows keenness and energy and has a good mechanical knowledge of MT vehicles 15/11/19

Promotions: 2nd Lieut 18/3/18; Lieut 18/9/19; Gazette 18/10/19

ASC Driving Licences
Pte H Leonard Kay M2/221651 Detachment 381 MT Coy ASC Romsey is licensed to drive for 12 months from 15 November 1916
Lce Cpl M2/221651 Harry Leonard Kay c/o Detachment 381 MT Coy ASC, Romsey, is licensed to drive for 12 months from 15th November 1917
Permission is given for Lt H L Kay RASC Light Div MT Coy to drive WD Motor Car various 18/9/19 HQ British Army of the Rhine

Harry Kay driving army car in 1919

Len in an Army vehicle, Mesopotamia

London Gazette: 9 April 1918 Supplement 30625, Page 4416
The undermentioned to be temp 2nd Lieuts 18 March 1918
Harry Leonard Kay (amongst a list of other names)

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: West Bank, Ambergate

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Arthur Kay Head 34 Assistant Wire Works manager Manchester
Hannah Kay wife 38   Belper
Arthur V Kay son 6   Ambergate
Ada E Kay daughter 5   Ambergate
Harry L Kay son 3   Ambergate

RG13 Piece 3230 Folio109 Page 3

1911: Crich, The Chase

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Arthur Kay Head 44 Manager of Wire drawing works Manchester
Hannah Kay wife 48   Belper
Arthur Vernon Kay son 16 Apprentice electrician Ambergate
Ada Evelyn Kay daughter 15 School Ambergate
Harry Leonard Kay son 13 School Ambergate

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN265

1918 Voters List Crich Parish
Harry Leonard KAY, Westleigh; absent on military service.

1939 Register: Ramade, Cromford Road, Cromford
Harry L Kay b.22 January 1898; wholesale and retail confectioner & tobacconist (own account), special constable
Evelyn M Kay b.29 February 1904
Gerald Kay b. 11 September 1927; school