LEONARD JOHNSON CLEGG (1867-1939) - A LIFE
One of the earliest articles I posted to the site related to The Cleggs of Sheffield and their formidable endeavours in both their public and private lives. They were a pivotal family in the development of Sheffield in the ;ate nineteenth and early twentieth century and the figurehead was one William Johnson Clegg (1827- 1895).
In the book "The Making of Sheffield I865-1914 by J. H. Stainton (E. Weston & Sons, Change Alley, Sheffield 1924) the author points out that William was born on September 26th 1827 in Earl Street, the son of a small cutlery manufacturer. He was educated at Carver Street National School (established 1812) where the fee was 1d a week. He left the school at 12 years of age and started his business career at the the offices of Mr. Vickers (Solicitor) before becoming a Highway Rate Collector with the local Highways board. He moved on from that position and became an accountant at premises on Chapel Walk. However it was to be the aftermath of the Sheffield Flood of 1864 that was to prove the turning point in his life. Together with a Mr C. E. Broadbent he vigorously pursued claims against the Sheffield Waterworks Company for compensation on behalf of the victims of the flood and their families. The success he enjoyed in this work led William to leave his family in Sheffield and train to become a solicitor in London. Stainton, fully appreciates the single minded dedication that William showed in following ambitions which were rewarded when he returned to Sheffield in 1868 and established the firm of Clegg and Sons.
William's youngest son was Leonard Johnson Clegg and in 1890 he married Ethel Maud Wilks born May 26, 1867 , daughter of Edward John Wilks and Eliza Ann Reckless. (Edward John Wilks is one of the brother's in Wilks Bros. & Comp. of Sheffield).
In August 2010 I was contacted by a person who was researching Wilks Bros. & Comp.of Sheffield, and kindly provided me with the following information
"Leonard
Johnson Clegg 1st. married Ethel Maud Wilks born May 26, 1867 , daughter of
Edward John Wilks and Eliza Ann Reckless. (Edward John Wilks is one of the
brother's in Wilks Bros. & Comp. of Sheffield). Ethel married Leonard
Johnson Clegg in Sheffield in 1890.
They had a daughter Ethel Theodora Clegg b. Mar. 12, 1891 in Ecclesall Bierlow,
Sheffield. Ethel's mother Ethel Maud Wilks died March 19, 1891. Ethel
Theodora Clegg married Thomas O. Leaf 1920 in Sheffield. Ethel died
in 1972 in London and Thomas died in 1952 in Brighton, Sussex.
Leonard Johnson Clegg married 2nd. Kate Turton in 1896 in Sheffield. They
had at least two children: William John Clegg b. 1898 who became a Solicitor and
Ellen Clara Clegg.
Ancestry.com has all this information as well as the England National Probate
Calendar - Index of Wills which includes entries for Leonard Johnson Clegg and
his first wife Ethel Maud Clegg (nee Wilks). The Will Index for William Johnson
Clegg (Died 25 Jul. 1895 - Will probated 15 Jun. 1895) - Effects: 31827
pounds.4s.2d. and the Will Index for Aseneth Clegg (Died 04 Aug. 1907-Will
probated 16 Aug. 1907). Effects: 997 pounds. 12 s. 6 d".
Sheffield Daily Telegraph dated 3rd October 1930
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer dated 12th May 1939
Sheffield Evening Telegraph dated 12th July 1939
There is an interesting article on Sheffield's Chamber of Commerce website relating to Leonard's home at West Heys
"The property, known as West Heys, was originally built in 1898 for Leonard Johnson Clegg, son of William Edwin Clegg, the Mayor of Sheffield, and brother of William Edwin Clegg, one of the first Lord Mayors of Sheffield. One of only five families to live in the property, the Clegg family figures heavily in Sheffield history, with brothers who played for both England and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as chairing the Football Association for both Sheffield United and Wednesday. Leonard, along with his brothers, worked as a solicitor at his father's law firm Clegg and Sons, which has now merged to become part of Wake Smith Solicitors, still in Sheffield today. Leonard sold West Heys to Lionel Farris, who lived in the property from 1939 to 1963 the year before he also became Lord Mayor of Sheffield. From there, the house had two further owners until being purchased by present occupier Neil Oakley, a consultant surgeon, in 2010.
The six-bedroom property, situated on the fringe of Whiteley Woods and the Mayfield valley, features a huge stained glass window depicting the Clegg family shield one of only a handful in existence around Sheffield. Well known to many Sheffield residents as the 'white house', the home overlooks the Wire Mill Dam and previously the cricket playing fields, until the land transferred to The Sheffield Corporation which is now home to several horses. The house also comes with a unique, triangular piece of land of approximately 1 acre which could be employed for any number of uses, though cannot be used for profit. As virtually the last house before the Peak District, West Heys occupies a unique place in the geography and history of Sheffield. Associate Director at Redbrik, David Cooper, said: -Here at Redbrik, we love finding out the history of a property because it helps us gain an understanding of the home we're selling. -West Heys has a really strong history in Sheffield, with ties to the Lord Mayor's office, Sheffield Wednesday and a Wake Smith Solicitors. -We're looking forward to finding the perfect buyers for this house, which has only ever had four/five families live in it."
In May 2015 items were placed on a well known auction site relating to Leonard and his daughter Ethel
ITEMS
ONCE BELONGING TO 19th CENTURY LEAGUE FOOTBALLER, LEONARD J. CLEGG.
Including Clegg's Sheffield Football Club 1886-87 Membership Card & Fixture
List. Clegg's 1891 Condensed Diary & Engagement Book.
His Daughter Theodora's Marriage Certificate, Witnessed by Clegg, and his two
Brothers - Charles, Sheffield Wednesday Footballer & President of the
English Football Association, as well as being Chairman of both Wednesday and
United (being a co-Founder) - and William, Sheffield F.C. & Wednesday
Player, and fellow England International.
Also Four Original Photographs of Leonard J. Clegg. Leonard J Clegg was a League
footballer for Sheffield F.C. during the 1880's, gaining entry into the Midland
League in the 1889-90 season.
He later became a solicitor and Justice of the Peace in Sheffield, and became
father to William John Clegg M.C., of the 1/1st Yorkshire Dragoons (Queens’
Own) Yeomanry.
William John was promoted to Lieutenant whilst serving in France, Belgium and
Germany from September 1916 to May 1919. He was awarded the Military Cross in
1919, and the citation read: "On 20th October 1918, south-west of Vichte,
for conspicuous gallantry and good work whilst leading an advanced platoon. He
continually came under very heavy machine-gun fire from his flank. He pressed
forward, and succeeded in capturing seven field guns and over thirty
prisoners."
As stated above, Leonard's marriage certificate witnesses include his two
brothers:
(Sir) John Charles Clegg (1851-1937) was popularly known as 'the great old man
of football'. Starting off as a player, he became the President of the English
Football Association. Additionally though, he was instrumental in the founding
of Sheffield United F.C. (1889, and also served as President of Both Sheffield
United & Sheffield Wednesday Football Clubs.
In 1872 he played in the first recognised international game between England
& Scotland, and also took part (as team Captain) in the World's first
floodlit football match on the 14th October, 1878.
He also refereed international matches, and was referee for both the 1882 &
1892 F.A. Cup Finals.
He was considered to be the 'Elder Statesman' of the Association code; and
served as F.A. Chairman from 1890 -1923, becoming the Association President in
1923.
In 1927 he was knighted, which was football's first Knighthood, the next player
to receive a knighthood was Stanley Mathews thirty eight years later.
Leonard's other brother, (Sir) William Edwin Clegg (1852-1932), was popularly
known as the 'Uncrowned King of Sheffield'. He too was an international player,
and on the 8th March, 1873, he played for England in their second ever
international match, as they defeated Scotland 4-2, and in doing so he and
Charles, who had played in the previous game, became the first brothers to both
be capped by their country.
He played in around 40 games for Sheffield F.C., going on to join Sheffield
Albion in 1878; and then in January 1879 he played in the first international
game not to be played against Scotland.
William later became a solicitor, and defended the notorious murderer Charles
Peace at the Police Court proceedings, which took place in the corridor of the
Sheffield Police Station, after Peace had been injured in his attempt to escape
from a train.
He was also a Liberal politician and City Mayor.
Leonard's Sheffield F.C. 1886-87 season fixture and membership card is in nice
condition. It's presented in red cloth on stiff card with gilt decorative
titling. It bears his initials and is dated in ink, 2nd October, 1886. The final
scores are filled in neat ink next to the appropriate fixtures. There's a
relatively light even tanning to the innards, and a few fox spots, with a little
rubbing here and there to cloth, but it remains a very nice example, and quite
possibly a unique survivor.
The miniature diary measures 1.75" x 1.5" (4.5cm x 4cm), and comes in
a gilt-edged leatherette 'envelope' form. Leonard's ownership signature is in
ink to the front inside cover. There are several entries and reminders etc, but
much of it is unfilled. It's in nice clean condition, and is housed in a small
type-written brown envelope stating: "My Father's Diary, 1891." The
four photographs of Leonard each measure around 4" x 2.5"
In October 2011 I received some excellent information about the son of Leonard Johnson and Kate Clegg WILLIAM JOHN CLEGG
"I
have some information on William John Clegg as part of research into the
Great War participation of the former pupils of Hazelwood Prep school at
Limpsfield in Surrey and thought you might like to see it, and if you would like
to, include it on your site
His entry is below and I hope you find it useful/interesting
(98) Clegg, William John Lieutenant MC -
1/1st Yorkshire Dragoons (Queens’ Own) Yeomanry
He was born in September 1897 the son of Leonard Johnson Clegg JP, a solicitor, and
his second wife, Kate M (nee Turton) Clegg of Whiteley Wood, Sheffield in
Yorkshire. He left Hazelwood School in the summer of 1911 for Uppingham School
where he was educated from September 1911 until April 1914.
On leaving school he was articled to the firm of L.J. Clegg, solicitors of
Sheffield.
He was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Yorkshire Dragoons on the 12th of
November 1915. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and served in France, Belgium
and Germany from September 1916 to May 1919.
He was awarded the Military Cross which was announced in the London Gazette of
the 4th of October 1919 and the citation read:-
"On 20th October 1918, south-west of Vichte, for conspicuous gallantry and
good work whilst leading an advanced platoon. He continually came under very
heavy machine-gun fire from his flank. He pressed forward, and succeeded in
capturing seven field guns and over thirty prisoners. It was greatly owing to
his fearless leadership that his company were able to advance about a mile and a
half in front of the infantry."
After the war he returned to work as a solicitor. He married Audrey
Ivy (nee MacLaren) at Hove Parish Church on the 2nd of September 1926 and they
lived at Bay House, 1 Marine Parade, Budleigh Salterton.
During the Second World War he served with the War Claims Commission and he died
in February 1969"
Sources
Sheffield Independent, 12 June 1890.
Sheffield and Rotherham Independent dated 21st March 1891
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 6 August 1896.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph dated 3rd October 1930
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer dated 12th May 1939
Sheffield Evening Telegraph dated 12th July 1939
UK Census
Ancestry
Sheffield's Chamber of Commerce website relating to Leonard's home at West Heys
This page was last updated on 19/04/26 16:00