Name
Leonard Walter Speller
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/06/1918
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
124635
Royal Field Artillery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PONSBOURNE (OR NEWGATE STREET) (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Newgate Street, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Memorial, Newgate Street, Not on the Hertford memorials
Pre War
Leonard was born at Widington Essex, on the 3rd of February 1893.
In the 1901 census Leonard was 9 and living with his parents Charles and Hetty and four siblings; Herbert (14), Augustus (13), Alice (10) and Walter (6), at The Street, Hertford Heath, he was attending school. His father was a general labourer. By 1911 the family were at Ponsbourne Park, Lower Lodge, Newgate Street. Leonard was working as a woodman.
Officially recorded living in Hertford when he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
After enlistment he became Gunner 124635, Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery.
Leonard was badly wounded at Shoeburyness, which was a training base for the Royal Artillery. He died at home of his wounds.
Charles and Hetty Speller had 7 children, 2 died at an early age; their 4 sons perished in the war, the remaining child a daughter survived.
Awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
He was the brother of Augustus, Herbert & Walter Speller and so four brothers died.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: : Mrs Speller (Widow) c/o New Park Lodge received an “In Memoriam & Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
