Herbert Leitham died of his wounds on the 17th of October 1918. He is known to lie somewhere within Beveren-Ijzer Churchyard in Belgium, but it's not known exactly where.

His headstone reads “Known to be buried in this cemetery” and "Science Student at St Andrews University, They Denied Themselves." 

The inscription "Known to be buried in this cemetery" is a standard wording for Commonwealth Headstones where the site of the burial is known but not the exact location of the grave.

Herbert Leitham was born on the 8th of January 1899.

The national census of 1901 shows the Leitham family as living at the Schoolhouse, St Madoes, Glencarse in Perthshire:

At this time, the head of the household was Herbert's 35-year-old father John, who was a teacher. John's wife and Herbert's mother was 31-year-old Eleanora. Herbert's only sibling was his elder brother William, who at five years of age, was three years Herbert's senior.

Also living at the School House in 1901 were 33-year-old Alice Shannon (another teacher) and Susan Rogers, the family's general domestic.

Herbert went on to be a student in Science at Saint Andrews University from 1916-1917. He enlisted as a Second Lieutenant with the 5th Black Watch (Angus and Dundee) and was then attached to the 8th (Service) Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).

Herbert arrived in France on the 1st of May 1918, and died on the 17th of October 1918 of wounds received at Winkel St. Eloi, Belgium.

He is also commemorated in St. Madoes Parish Church. The memorial takes the form of a Vase for the Communion Table and bears the name of the five men who fell during the Great War. The vase was paid for with money collected by an ex-serviceman from his comrades-in-arms.

On the 27th of November 1918 the Perthshire Advertiser reported:

“OUR OWN MEN - ST MADOES:       Second Lieutenant Herbert Wilson Leitham (died of wounds on 17th October) was the younger surviving son of Mr. John Leitham, M.A., St Madoes. He was educated at Perth Academy, and afterwards entered the University of St Andrews, where he distinguished himself in science, chemistry, natural philosophy and botany. Having been a member of the O.T.C. he received a commission in the 5th Black Watch when not quite 19. On going to France he was attached to the 8th Black Watch, and received his wounds on 14th October. He was in his twentieth year.”

Herbert Leitham is also commemorated on the St. Madoes Parish War Memorial; the St. Madoes Parish Church War Memorial; and the University of St. Andrews War Memorial.

Communion Table Vase, St. Madoes Parish Church.

On the 4th of June 1921, the Perthshire Advertiser reported:

"GLENCARSE - DEDICATING WAR MEMORIAL VASE:     Among the many memorials which have been raised to the memory of the men who gave their lives for their country, that to be dedicated in St Madoes Parish Church on Sunday has its own especial charm.

"The money for it was collected by an ex-servicemen from his comrades-in-arms, and the memorial is thus a tribute from the men who served and returned to their fellow soldiers who fell...

"The memorial takes the form of a vase for the Communion Table and bears the names of five men connected with the congregation during the years of war."