Ormskirk family issue plea to good Samaritan who returned late father’s wallet

Dec 22 2011 by Tom Duffy, Ormskirk Advertiser

AN ORMSKIRK family wants to thank the mystery good samaritan who posted their late father's wallet back to his home address.

Grandad John Leadbetter died in his sleep aged 83 after suffering an aneurysm on December 10, and his son David was baffled that his dad's wallet was missing from his bedroom.

The family noticed the wallet’s absence as they gathered up John’s personal possessions after his death.

John, who was known as Leddy to family and friends, lived alone and did not require home visits from carers or social workers.

Two days after John passed away, a padded envelope, covered in four first class stamps and marked with a Warrington postcode, dropped through the letterbox of the grandad’s home in Sturgess Close.

John’s driving licence and cash were still in the wallet, providing the Leadbetter family with some comfort during their hours of grief. The wallet even included a Home Bargains receipt from a final shopping trip to town.

Born in 1928, John Henry Leadbetter married Margaret Marsh on February 5, 1949, before serving in the Royal Navy during the Korean War.

After the war the young man returned to West Lancashire, and squatted in an old Burscough army hut with his siblings to protest at the shortage of available housing.

John eventually found work as a signalman and helped out on a nearby farm to top up his income. John and Margaret moved to the newly-built Scott Drive, where the couple raised their family during the 1950s.

Leddy worked at BICC in Melling up to his retirement. He lost his beloved wife Margaret to illness in July 1988.

The Leadbetter family now wish to thank the good samaritan who returned John’s wallet to them, and possibly learn a little more about how he came to lose it.

David Leadbetter said: “We just do not understand how Dad came to lose the wallet.

“I would like to thank the good samaritan, and get in touch with them for a chat. And this an ideal opportunity to pay tribute to a dad, grandfather and great grandad.”

David can be contacted on 07553 228053.