Polo death (1919)

Post date: Feb 03, 2012 10:4:57 AM

The Wateringbury Parish Magazine reported the death of one of the Leney Brewing family in February 1909.

HAROLD LENEY, LIEUT. 3rd HUSSARS.

We have received some details of the sad accident by which Mr. Harold Leney met with his death while riding with his regiment at Pretoria on December 16th. Representing his regiment in a polo match he was riding a pony belonging to some one else, which crossed its legs and fell heavily with him; he never recovered consciousness, and died in a few minutes.

He was buried the next day with full military honours, all the troops in Pretoria following him to the grave, and Lord Methuen, the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, acting as chief mourner. The Chaplain writes : "There were few dry eyes among those present, so greatly was he loved and esteemed by all ranks."

We are glad to have the consent of Mr. and Mrs. Leney in publishing these few words, which will be read with a sad, sympethetic interest by their friends and employees in Wateringbury. Mr. Harold Leney was looking forward to obtaining his Company in the near future; and he will be remembered by his fellow officers, and by all who knew him, as one who was earnest in his work and had all the qualities of a fine soldier, as well as a skilful rider, a good shot, a keen sportsman, and a steady and genial fellow.