Name
Leonard Percy Ridgeway
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/04/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
14404
Bedfordshire Regiment
'B' Company, 1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of William and Millicent (nee DAVIS) RIDGEWAY of Watford.
His parents married 1881 in the Watford district. Millicent died 1932 in Watford aged 75, and was buried 18 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; William died 20 April 1940 in Watford aged 85, and was buried 24 April, also in Vicarage Road cemetery.
Leonard was born 1892 in Watford, and resided in Watford. He went to Australia 1 April 1913 aboard the Milburn Line Port Macquarie from London to Melbourne: a butcher aged 21.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and seven siblings. On the 1911 Census, a butcher’s assistant aged 18, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford in August 1914 and trained at Dovercourt; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 24 March 1915, and was killed in action at Hill 60.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Leonard’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. There is an article about and a Death announcement for Leonard in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 1 May 1915; an article in the Watford Illustrated dated 1 May 1915; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 22 April 1916. His brother Ralph died 17 February 1915 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
