Person:Francis Leigh (4)

Francis Edward LEIGH of Rosegarland was born 28jan1907, educated at Bradfield, married 12may1934 Winifred, daughter of Col. Frederick Page Ococks, V.D., Queen Victoria’s Rifles, of Lower Mill House, Ewell, Surrey (Burke's Irish family records). Francis Edward LEIGH was born about 1906-07 in Rosegarland, New Ross, co. Wexford, Ireland as he died aged 97 in nov 2003. Francis married in may 1934 Winifred Margaret Page OCOCKS, daughter of an army colonel in Ewell nr. Epsom, Surrey, England; she died aged 103 on 2 may 2004 at Rosegarland. Winifred Margaret P. OCOCKS was born 1901 at Brentford, Middlesex (bmd index). They had 2 children: Anne Cecilia Fallon nee Leigh and „Robin“ Robert Edward Francis Leigh, born abt. 1937-38 as he died 2005 aged 68.

From the „New Ross Standard“ and „Wexford People“: Death of Francis Leigh Thursday November 27th 2003 of Rosegarland Estate The death has occurred of Francis Edward Leigh of Rosegarland Estate, who passed away peacefully at Knockeen Nursing Home last Wednesday. In his 97th year, Francis was laid to rest in Ballyoughton Cemetery and is mourned by his wife Winifred, son Robin, grandchildren David and Sarah, great-grandchildren and nephews. Steeped in history, Rosegarland was at the centre of an agricultural phenomenon when more than 450 acres of the estate were sown under flax in 1918. A number of reasons combined in 1918 to attract this record making crop to Rosegarland including World War I which brought about an increased demand for linen output. Another point in Rosegarland's favour was the railway station at Wellingtonbridge which facilitated transportation to the spinning mills of Northern Ireland. The spring of 1918 saw the sowing of the great crop, using the very latest machinery - ploughs and tractors from Pears of Kilmallock and Thompsons of Carlow.

Robin Leigh passes away peacefully Thursday June 2nd 2005 THE death has taken place at Waterford Regional Hospital, in his 68th year, of Robert Edward Francis Leigh, of Rosegarland, Wellingtonbridge. He died peacefully on Sunday after a long period of increasingly severe ill health, stoically borne. Robin, as he was known, was the last in a long line of Leighs of Rosegarland, starting with Robert Lye, or McLaeighis, or McLysagh, 1648-1695, who was Gaelic speaking. Political pressure led him to change his name to the Anglicised form of Leigh. He later married Margaret Colclough and took the name Leigh Colclough. Robin lived in Rosegarland all his life with his parents, Francis and Winifred Leigh, who died recently. He then succeeded to Rosegarland and was pre-deceased by his sister Anne Fallon. Before ill health overtook him, he played an active part on the farm and his knowledge of certain parts was considerable. He was an active member of the Ski Club of Great Britain and of the local sub-aqua and photographic clubs. His skiing holidays each winter were always a major part of his life and his photographic skills were greatly admired. Another big interest was marine archaeology in which he read widely and attended international conferences. His knowledge of the ship wrecks around the Wexford coast was considerable. He was educated in England, but never completed an agriculture or university course. Almost to the end, his parents were the dominant figures in the Rosegarland farm. Robin read widely on his interests - marine archaeology and photography. He is mourned by his niece, Sarah Kehoe, his nephew, David Fallon, his cousins, Antoine Chambaud and Robert Harvey and their wives and children and his many friends. Robin's funeral took place at Balloughton Church on Tuesday afternoon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

1. ↑ Burke's Irish family records.
2.   Family letters
   in possession of Michael Avery.
3.   Information from R. Stephenson.