Name
Leonard William Oakes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/09/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
G/37014
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT CEMETERY
Plot XLVII, Row D, Grave 3.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Stockwell War Memorial, London
Pre War
According to the Soldiers Died in the Great War dataset, Leonard was born in Croydon, but there are no L OATES/OAKES born in Croydon or Surrey as a whole 1860-1900. The only birth of a L W OAKES is 1898 in the Lambeth, London, district; or L OAKES 1892 in the Camberwell, London, district. This latter would fit the age stated in the Observer Death announcement. He resided in Swansea, Glamorgan.
Assuming the latter birth, his parents were Arthur and Fanny (nee MORTON) OAKES who married 19 June 1887 at St James’, Enfield Highway, Middx.
Again, assuming the latter birth, he was born 4 or 6 September 1892 and attended Ecclesbourne Road Boys’ School, Croydon, from 4 February 1902 to 9 February 1906; then Beulah Road Boys’ School, Croydon, from 15 February to 15 June 1906; finally Ingram Road Boys’ School, Croydon, from 11 June to 7 September 1906.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in Croydon, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a dentist’s assistant aged 18, he lived in Thornton Heath, Surrey, with his parents and four siblings.
However, according to the UK Army Registers of Soldiers Effects 1901-1929 dataset, Leonard OAKES’ sole legatee was his brother Albert E. The Leonard detailed above had no brother by that name, but the Leonard born 1898 did.
So, assuming the former birth, his parents were John Thomas and the late Mary (nee SPEARING) OAKES who married 1881 at Salisbury Register Office, Wilts. Mary died 1905 in the Lambeth district aged 51; John died 1921 in the Wandsworth, London, district aged 65.
And, this Leonard was baptised 26 August 1898 at All Saints, South Lambeth.
Still with the former birth, on the 1901 Census, aged 2 he lived in Lambeth, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, aged 12 he lived in Clapham, London, with his widowed father and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Croydon, Surrey; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action. Unfortunately, Leonard’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Additional Information
Recorded as OATES L W in the Borough Roll of Honour.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Leonard in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 27 October 1917.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
