Name
Leonard George Brown
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/05/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43755
Lincolnshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE
III. D. 22.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Leonard was born circa 1899 in Hitchin to Daniel and Elizabeth Brown (néme Bates). Who had married 17 October 1891
In 1901 the family were living at 4 Blackhorse Lane, Hitchin. Present were parents: Daniel (30) and working as a brickyard labourer, Elizabeth (29), and children Henry (10), Daniel (9), Lily (6), Ernest (4) and Leonard (2).
In 1911 the family were still living at the same address, Elizabeth had been widowed. All the children listed above were present plus George (5) and Violet (2). The census recorded that Elizabeth had been marred 21 years with 7 children all living.
Before joining the army, he worked for Russell's Tanyard in Hitchin. He was born in Hitchin and enlisted there in February 1917.
Wartime Service
Leonard was originally 6389 249 Infantry Battalion before becoming 43755 6th Lincolnshire Battalion*1.
Leonard went to the Western Front in January 1918. His Battalion was part of the 33rd Brigade in the 11th Division. He fought in several engagements including Cambrai and Albert. He had only been in France for three months when he was gassed at Amiens (Arras may be more likely bearing in mind where he was buried) and he died the following day at a Casualty Clearing Station. Although his Nation Roll Of Honour entry suggests that he was killed in action.
He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, France in Plot 3, Row D, Grave 22.
Additional Information
After his death £7 2s 10d was authorised to go to his mother on 20 August 1918 and later a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to her on 8 December 1919.
His pension cards record that his mother Elizabeth Brown of 4 Barker;s Cottages, Sunnyside, Hitchin was awarded a pension of 7s 2d for life from 3 December 1918
He had four brothers serving in the armed forces.
*1 Please note that some online records had incorrectly transcribed Lincs as Leics.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
