Name
Leonard Spriggins
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/10/1914
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
6956
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10/11
France
UK & Other Memorials
Aston War Memorial
St. Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Aston
Pre War
Leonard was the son of James & Louisa Spriggins and the husband of Ellen Elizabeth Spriggins. He enlisted in the Army on the 10th April 1901 and served in South Africa between January and February 1902, just at the closing stages of the Boer War. The Battalion then moved to India and Leonard served with it until December 1908, when he returned to the UK. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in June 1909 and recalled to the colours at the outbreak of WW1. He was to become the first man from the local villages to lose his life on the Western Front.
Received the Queens South Africa, medal
Wartime Service
On the 22nd October 1914 the Battalion were positioned in Givenchy. They were ordered to move to Chappelle St. Roch to assist the 13th Infantry Brigade in an attack on the village of Voilaines. The attack, despite considerable effort, was not successful and eventually the Brigade was ordered to fall back. However, it seems that the fall back was not co-ordinated and became confused with troops re-joining the Battalion all throughout the night and early next day. It is not known exactly what happened to Leonard Spriggins but it can only be assumed that he lost his life during the confusion of battle. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, Dave Goble
