HACKETT Henry
aka LEYTON GeorgeLegion of Frontiersmen, New Zealand
BIOGRAPHICAL
Expat American songwriter and actor George LEYTON was born April 28th 1864 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The son of Henry Hackett (aka Jones) and Emily Jones. Not a lot is known about his life, except that he left the U.S for Britain when he was quite a young man. He served for a time in the British Army, and then started a fund for veterans of the Crimea War. He financed this to the tune of nearly £4,000 (quite a sum in those days) with the sale of one of his songs. He was a well known stage performer in various music halls in London, frequenting the vaudeville scene there. Starting in 1916, he appeared in a small number of films, the first of which was “Boys of the old Brigade”. In 1917 he appeared as ‘The Man’ in “The Man Who Made Good”, for which he wrote the story that the film was based on. Also in 1917 he appeared in “It’s Never Too Late to Mend”. Finally, in 1921 he produced and starred in “Land of my Fathers”.
LEYTON died in his adopted hometown of London, England on 5 June 1948 at the age of 84 years. There is no information on the disposal of his remains.
Members of the Legion are justifiably proud of the achievements of their comrade, Trooper George LEYTON, in mitigating the many hardships and sufferings of the Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans throughout the United Kingdom, who have received by his strenuous efforts nearly £4.000 up to date from the sale of his books and the proceeds of his songs.
His good work has received the mark of approval from His Majesty the King, Field Marshal Lord ROBERTS, VC, and many other distinguished persons.
He is now engaged upon the production of a new and original military scena, entitled “The Roll Call”, which will be produced early in November at the Oxford Music Hall, in which ten survivors of the Crimean War will appear.
[Legion Journal of October 1909]
NOTES
Born 28 April 1864 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (as Henry HACKETT)
Married (Elizabeth Emily LEWIS) 8 Aug 1887. St Anne, South Lambeth, London, England
Died 5 June 1948 London, England
Buried (unknown)
