Herbert Blanchard Leadbeater – Major, United States Army

From a contemporary press report:

Herbert Blanchard Leadbeater, 80, a retired pharmacist who had worked at People’s drug stores in Takoma Park and Chevy Chase for 37 years before retiring in 1984, died July 9, 1998 at Holy Cross Hospital after a heart attack. He lived in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Mr. Leadbeater, who was known as “Major” to his customers and friends, was a native of Maine and a 1941 graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. During World War II, he served with the Army in Europe and received the Purple Heart. He attained the rank of major before leaving the service in 1947. He settled in the Washington area after the war.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, the former Mary Elaine Parquette, of Silver Spring; three sons, Herbert Jr., of Mesa, Ariz., Robert William Leadbeater of Ridgely, Md., and Richard Matthew Leadbeater of Burtonsville; five daughters, Judith Elaine Whitt of Silver Spring, Mary Gerard Stratton of Bartow, Fla., Susan Jane Linders of Waldorf, and Mary Jean Kneale and Marjory Gale Stockstill, both of Bowie; a sister, Marjorie Puckney of Damariscotta, Maine; 18 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

LEADBEATER, HERBERT BLANCHARD, SR.

On Thursday, July 9, 1998, HERBERT BLANCHARD LEADBEATER, SR., of Silver Spring, MD, beloved husband of M. Elaine Leadbeater; father of Judith E. Whitt, Mary G. Stratton, Susan J. Linders, Nancy J. Kneale, Marjory G. Stockstill, Herbert B. Jr., Robert W. and Richard M. Leadbeater; brother of Marjory L. Puckey of Damiscotta, ME. Also survived by 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church, 10103 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD on Monday, July 13 at 10 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 21 at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mattaponi Retreat Center, 11000 Mattaponi Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-8213.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard