Name
Leonard Edward Butcher
26/02/1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/05/1915
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
710
Essex Yeomanry
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 5.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing in Belgium.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial, Waltham Cross
Pre War
Leonard Edward Butcher was born in Eltham, Kent, on 26th February 1889, son of Edward Richard Butcher a Metropolitan Police Constable and Mercy Butcher (nee Benge). The eldest of three children.
Baptised at St. John the Baptist, Eltham, Kent, on 3rd August 1889, his address at the time was, Globe House, High Street, Eltham, Kent.
1891 Census records Leonard aged 2, living with his parents, and brother Albert (6 months) in, Well Hall Road, Eltham, Kent.
1901 Census Leonard (12), his parent, brother Albert (10) and sister Gladys (9), are now living at, 3, Aveley Cottages, Broomstick Hall Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex. His father is recorded as a Metropolitan Police Sergeant.
1911 Census Leonard (22), is employed as a, Surveyors Clerk, the family are now living at, 14, Belle Vue Terrace, Gews Corner, Cheshunt, Herts. His father is recorded as a Police Pensioner and a Caretaker.
Leonard enlisted at Cheshunt, Herts, joining “C” Squadron, Essex Yeomanry a Territorial Force with the service number 710. “C” Squadron were based at Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Leonard was still serving with the Essex Yeomanry a Territorial Force.
It is believed the Territorials were mobilized while at their annual camp at Colchester, in August 1914. They moved independently to France in November 1914, joining the 8th Cavalry Brigade in the 3rd Cavalry Division.
On 13th May 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, (22nd April – 25th May 1915) the Essex Yeomanry made a Dismounted Bayonet Charge at Frezenburg Ridge, which recaptured the front-line trenches. Of an attacking force of 302 men, 69 were killed including the Commanding Officer and 91 wounded. Leonard was reported missing and presumed dead on 14th May 1915.
Additional Information
His mother Mercy Butcher received a Dependents Pension of 10/- a week from 1st January 1919. His effects of £14-10s-10d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £6, went to his father Edward Butcher.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
