Name
Leonard George Garratt
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/04/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
G/40620
18th Entrenching Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 60-61
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
He was the eldest son of Victor Hugh and Florence Garrett. Leonard George Garratt was born in 1893 in Hitchin (although Soldiers Died in the Great War record Chelsea, Middlesex. Both census state Hitchin).
In 1891 the family were living at x, Hitchin. Present were both parents: xxx and x, with x and working as a x. Their children were:
In 1901 the family were living at 19 Old Park Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Victor (30) and Florence (30), with Victor working as the manager of a fishmonger and poulterer. Their children were: Leonard George (8) and Edward John (4).
By 1911 the family were living at 2 Brand Street, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, Victor now working as a fishmonger. The census recorded they had been married for 19 years with 3 children, of whom 1 had died. All above children were both present, with Leonard assisting in his father’s business, and also Ernest Walby – an assistant in the business.
Leonard enlisted for the duration of the war in 1915 – the exact date cannot be read in his service record, however he was embodied on 15 November 1915 and posted on the same date. At the time he was recorded as living at 2 Brand Street, Hitchin, 22 years and 8 months, 5’ 9 ¾”and “Fit”.
Before enlistment he was a fishmonger and was also a member of the Hitchin Fire Brigade.
He married Miss Hilda Throssell of Charlton while home on leave at Christmas 1917.
Wartime Service
Initially he was in the 2/1st County of London Yeomanry with the Regimental Number 4601. Again some of his service history is damage, but he was appointed to lance corporal on 1 February 1916 in the 3/1 Battalion and then transferred to 2/1 on 6 March 1916. He went to France on 22 September 1916.
He was transferred to the 7 (Reserve) Middlesex then posted to the 12th, still as Lance Corporal, on 10 October 1916, joining the battalion on the 12th.
He was wounded in action on 3 May 1917 and admitted to hospital the following day with a gun shot wound. He must have recovered and was back at Base on the 25 June 1917. He was given 7 days Field Punishment No. 1 for “stating a falsehood to his C)”. This punishment entailed labour duties and attachment to a fixed object such as a post or wheel for two hours a day. He returned to his Battalion on 19 July 1917 received leave between 12 and 26 December 1917 and it was during this leave, on the 14th that he married in Kimpton Parish Church.
His records show that he also received a wound to his head – the date cannot be read and perhaps this was what killed him on the 4 April 1918.
It is difficult to find the circumstances of his death as the 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment had been disbanded at Noyen on the 13th February 1918 and became the 18th Entrenching Battalion and his movements are in consequence not easy to trace. This Unit may be the same as the 18th Battalion Middlesex Regiment which was a Pioneer Battalion attached to the 33rd Division.
After his death his personal property was forwarded to his widow, Hilda, at Ramridge Farm, Kimpton, Welwyn, Herts. Firstly on 4 September 1918 a religious book, wrist watch strap and broken watch protector and then, on 12 September 1918 more effects: 3 identity discs, letters, photos, cigarette case, photos in a case, his motor licence, bullet key (keyring), badge. Lock of hair, metal black cat, his ring, a religious medallion, button cards, his wallet and two small books,
The news of his death reached his parents before it was official’ A ‘chum’ wrote: “He was killed instantly and I saw him buried.”
Additional Information
Initially he was in the 2/1st County of London Yeomanry with the Regimental Number 4601. Again some of his service history is damage, but he was appointed to lance corporal on 1 February 1916 in the 3/1 Battalion and then transferred to 2/1 on 6 March 1916. He went to France on 22 September 1916.
He was transferred to the 7 (Reserve) Middlesex then posted to the 12th, still as Lance Corporal, on 10 October 1916, joining the battalion on the 12th.
He was wounded in action on 3 May 1917 and admitted to hospital the following day with a gun shot wound. He must have recovered and was back at Base on the 25 June 1917. He was given 7 days Field Punishment No. 1 for “stating a falsehood to his C)”. This punishment entailed labour duties and attachment to a fixed object such as a post or wheel for two hours a day. He returned to his Battalion on 19 July 1917 received leave between 12 and 26 December 1917 and it was during this leave, on the 14th that he married in Kimpton Parish Church.
His records show that he also received a wound to his head – the date cannot be read and perhaps this was what killed him on the 4 April 1918.
It is difficult to find the circumstances of his death as the 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment had been disbanded at Noyen on the 13th February 1918 and became the 18th Entrenching Battalion and his movements are in consequence not easy to trace. This Unit may be the same as the 18th Battalion Middlesex Regiment which was a Pioneer Battalion attached to the 33rd Division.
After his death his personal property was forwarded to his widow, Hilda, at Ramridge Farm, Kimpton, Welwyn, Herts. Firstly on 4 September 1918 a religious book, wrist watch strap and broken watch protector and then, on 12 September 1918 more effects: 3 identity discs, letters, photos, cigarette case, photos in a case, his motor licence, bullet key (keyring), badge. Lock of hair, metal black cat, his ring, a religious medallion, button cards, his wallet and two small books,
The news of his death reached his parents before it was official’ A ‘chum’ wrote: “He was killed instantly and I saw him buried.” This may be truw, but subsequently his body was never found and he is commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
