Name
Leonard Mark Pateman
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/02/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
36423
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
6th Bn.
‘D’ Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 11 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Leonard was the son of the late Mark Pateman. His home was at 13, Barnards Yard, Queen St. Hitchin. Before the war he was employed at Russell's Tanyard in Hitchin. He was a resident of Hitchin, but enlisted in Hertford early in 1916.
Wartime Service
Leonard was drafted to the Western Front shortly after. He was posted initially as Regimental Number 5977 (poss 5077) to the Hertfordshire Regiment, but was later transferred to the 6th Battalion of the Berkshires which was in the 53rd Brigade of the 18th Division. His Regimental Number in the Battalion was 36433.
He was considered to be a smart and efficient soldier and was the Company Officer's runner serving in 13 Platoon of ‘D’ Company.
The National Roll states that he was killed in action at Delville Wood having gone out with a patrol that did not return. This is not supported by the Battalion War Diary or ‘Boom Ravine’ by T. Pidgeon. At 5.40 am the Battalion HQ dugout was blown in, killing some of the runners gathered there whose numerous arrivals and departures had been observed by the Germans the previous day. The Battalion HQ was then moved a short distance to the junction of Regina Trench and 16 road. This is about two miles south east of Grandcourt in the Somme Sector and a major attack on the German positions commenced at 5.45 am. 194 casualties were sustained by the Battalion on this one day including 19 Other Ranks killed.
This is the most likely incident and place of his death. Delville Wood is situated some miles away. He was missing for over a year then presumed dead as his body was not found.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Pier/Face IID of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
His brother in law was Charles Walker, another casualty of the war.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
