Name
Henry Alfred Poss H E) Laggett
1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Bombardier
6050
Royal Garrison Artillery
28th Siege Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE
I. E. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Norton, WW1 City of Portsmouth, Hants
Pre War
Henry (Harry) Alfred Leggatt was born in Gosport, Hants in 1880 to William, cab driver, and Kate (nee Karvell).
On the 1881 Census the family of parents, Kate C (born 1868), William C (born 1879), Thomas (born 1877) Ada L (born 1879), Harry A, Thomas Karvell (born 1872, brother in law) were living at 1, Anglesey Mews, Alverstoke, Hants.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Kate C, William, Thomas, Ada L, Henry,1891 Lottie (born 1882), Beatrice (born 1885), Albert (born 1889), Emma (born 1889) and June (born 1891), Jane Karvell (born 1826, mother in law) were living at 15, Orchard Street, Chicester.
Henry enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery as Private 7601 on 16 Aug 1898.
On the 1901 Census Henry was listed as Gunner, on the Hong Kong Station, and in the 1911 Census he was recorded as a general Labourer and was lodging with the Pratt family at 42, New Street, Havant, Hants.
Henry married Martha Miles in March 1915 in Norton at St Nicholas Church. At some point her address was given as "Garthowen," The Broadway, Letchworth, Herts., and 382 Icknield Way, Letchworth.
Wartime Service
Henry was enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 6050 (later281050) and posted to 28 Siege Battery, RGA and went to France with them on 4 Sep 1915.
The Battery was allocated to 27 Heavy Artillery Brigade and consisted of 4 – 6 inch Howitzers. Henry was promoted to Bombardier during his service. Battery were allocated to 30 H A G on 2 Aug 1916 likely on the Somme supporting the units of the Artillery during the Battle of Flers- Courcellete (15-26 Sep 1916).
Henry was wounded and died from his wounds at 24 Stationary Hospital (Etaples, Boulogne) on 25 Sep 1916.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £8 10s and arrears of £14 12s 6d was paid to his widow, who passed £5 13s 4d their son Gerald.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Ellen Barnes, Jonty Wild
