They gave their VERY young lives

Working on IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAMMY LEON yesterday my writing took a bit of a turn.

Following last Sunday’s remembrance service at Bletchley War Memorial I wanted to take the names from our two local war memorials and try to find who possibly knew the Leon Family and who perhaps worked for them.

Let me share the work I did yesterday then I will comment at the end. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS STILL IN DRAFT FORM

Sunday 14^th November 2021 I attended the service of memorial at Saint Mary’s Church adjacent to the Leon Family’s home at Bletchley Park. It was, of course, a special event with a large crowd made up of people of all ages. I took with me my grandfather’s Soldiers Small Book which he had with him in the trenches of The Great War one hundred and seven years ago. He was a Birmingham man serving in the South Staffordshire Regiment and had probably never heard of Bletchley but it was my way to make things personal.

A celebrated war poet in the 1920’s, at the time Sammy Leon was making sure Fenny

Stratford had its memorial to honour the dead, spoke out against war memorials saying those who died should not be remembered by names carved in stone but remembered in peoples’ hearts. If I were alive in the 1920’s I think I would have agreed with him but now in the 2020’s we need those memorials with their names carved in stone to remember those who gave their young lives so we can live our old lives BUT we must take those names off their memorials and honour them in our hearts.

To do this, to take the names off our two war memorials I now intend to research the names trying to find those who knew perhaps knew the Leons and those who were in their employ.  There is a very special website available within which I can undertake this work. This website is roll-of-honour.com upon which the following text can be found: The design and formatting of this site are Copyright © Roll-of-Honour.com as are many of the photographs. Please feel free to copy this information for personal use; but, if it is copied and used elsewhere, we would like this source to be acknowledged, please, because we have spent hundreds of pounds on the research and establishment of this site.

Starting with Fenny Stratford memorial:

E. A. Aston  F. Barden  J, Barden  W. Barden  B. E. Baldwin  F. C. Baldwin

E. C. Battams  G. M. Benbow  A. Betts  H. Biggs  S. W. Brewer  J. Bridge  H. Brooks

C. W. Buxton  A. Charter  H. Cook  H. E. Crane  E. F. Cranwell  H. Cutler

F. J. Daniel  G. F. Day  A. Doyle  E. H. Fennemore  A. French  J. W. Garner

H. T. Goodman  W. Guess  F. W. Gurney  C. Hill  G. Holton  F. H. Ivens  T. Jackman

C. Janes  A. R. Jordan  F. King  H. J. Kitchener  J. Langley  J. S. Litchford

V. C. Lord   J.P. Mason  H. T. Morris  S. S. Morris  H. Munday  V. Pace  H. L. Perry

T. C. Perry  F. T. Purcell  W. J. Quimby  S. L. Read  S. l. Read  T. C. Richardson

A. S. Rowe  J. Scott  W. B. Souster  H. Southwell  H. J. Steven  J. Taylor

A. Thorogood  A. Thurlow  C. Townshend  F. J. Vasey  A. T. Ward  B. W. C. Ward

R. Whatley  S. W. White  C. Whiting   A. Wingfield  C. H. Wright  H. J. Wallincer  

There is a lot of information now following, please do not skip what I have found out and typed into these pages. Behind these names there are REAL people who lived in our community.

BERTIE EDWARD BALDWIN: Rifleman S/2205 12^th Battalion Rifle Brigade

Killed in action on Thursday 29^th June 1916 Age of 22 years

Born in Fenny Stratford the son of Arthur E and Ada Baldwin of Fenny Stratford

Buried in Valamertinge Military Cemetery Leper West Vlaandere Blegium Plot III Row D Grave 15

FREDERIC CHARLES BALDWIN: Second Lieutenant 2^nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

Died of wounds on Saturday 11^th May 1918 Age of 26 years

Born in Fenny Stratford the son of Robert Henry and Emma Elizabeth Baldwin of 42 Albert Street Bletchley

Buried in Esquelebecq Military Cemetery Nord France Plot 1 Row D Grave 3

FRANK HUMPHREY BARDEN: Lance Corporal 20413 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Killed in action on Wednesday 19^th July 1916

Born and resident of Bletchley

Buried in Rue-Petillion Military Cemetery Fleurbaix Pas de Calais France Plot I Row K Grave 82

WILFRED BARDEN: Private 266241 2^nd/1^st Buckinghamshire Battalion Oxfordshire an Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Killed in action Sunday 31^st March 1918

No known grave

EDWARD CHARLIE BATTAMS: Corporal 3316 2^nd/1^st Buckingham Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Killed in action Wednesday 19^th July 1916 Age 20 of years

No known grave

ARCHIBALD THOMAS BETTS: Private 22516 8^th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

Died of wounds Saturday 30^th September 1916 Age of 19 years

Born and resident of Bletchley Son of James and Selina Betts

Buried in Grove Town Cemetery Meaulte Somme France Plot I Row K Grave 19

HORACE WILLIAM BIGGS: Private 3469 2^nd/1^st Buckingham Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Died of wounds Tuesday 25^th July 1916

Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery Pas de Calais France Plot XIV Row E Grave 6A

SIDNEY WILLIAM BREWER: Private T/1807 Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Died on service in Mesopotamia Saturday 26^th August 1916

Son of William John and Kate Brewer 37 Albert Street Bletchley

Buried in Amara War Cemetery Iraq Plot XIV Row E Grave 3

HAROLD FREDERICK BROOKS:  Sergeant S/2199 12^th Battalion Rifle Brigade The Prince Consort’s Own

Killed in action Saturday 22^nd September 1917 Age of 25

Born and resident of Fenny Stratford

No known grave

ALBERT CHARTER: Private 20639 2^nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

Killed in action Saturday 21^st September 1918

Born and resident of Bletchley

No known grave

HERBERT COOK: Private 66235 11^th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps

Killed in action Friday 11^th May 1917

Born and enlisted in Bletchley

Buried in Crump Trench British Cemetery Fampoux Par de Calais France Special Memorial A. 3.

JOHN COX: Private 2585 2^nd/1^st Buckinghamshire Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Died of wounds Tuesday 25^th July 1916 Age of 18 years

Enlisted Bletchley resident of Fenny Stratford

Buried in Merville Community Cemetery Nord France Plot XI Row B Grave 20

HORACE EDWARD CRANE: Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant 50807 C Company 1^st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action Friday 30^th August 1918 Age of 28

Husband of Beatrice Violet Crane of 28 Duncombe Street Bletchley

Buried in Vis-En-Artois British Cemeterey Haucourt Pas de Calais France Plot VI Row E Grave 26

PERCY EDWARD CRANWELL: Private 5170 14^th County of London Battalion London Regiment

Killed in action Wednesday 7^th June 1916 Age of 19

Son of William James and Elizabeth Cranwell 11 Brooklands Road Bletchley

Buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery Pas de Calais France Plot III Row G Grave 5

HAROLD CUTLER: Rifleman 5/2200 12^th Battalion 2^nd Battalion Rifle Brigade The Prince Consort’s Own

Killed in action Saturday 25^th September 1915 Age of 22 years

Son of Mrs Annie Croft of Buckingham Road Bletchley

No known grave

FREDERICK JOHN DANIEL: Lance Corporal 650913  21^st County of London Battalion 1^st Surrey Rifles London Regiment

Killed in action Saturday 30^th March 1918 Age of 27 years

Son of William and Emily Daniel of 16 Oxford Street Bletchley

Buried in Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery Syria Plot/Row/Section F Grave 18

GEORGE EDWARD DAY: Private 42625 1^st Battalion Worcester Regiment

Killed in action Sunday 22^nd October 1916 Age of 19 years

Son of George and Louisa Day of 16 High Street Bletchley

No known grave

ALBERT EDWARD DOYLE: Private G/7633 1^st Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment West Kent Regiment

Killed in action Thursday 4^th October 1917

Son of James and Kate Doyle 44 Park Street Fenny Stratford

No known grave

ERNEST HUBERT FENNEMORE: Private 33457 6^th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Killed in action Thursday 16^th August 1917 Age of 19 years

Son of Mr and Mrs E Fennemore 21 Victoria Road Bletchley

No known grave

ARTHUR FRENCH: Sergeant 201365 1^st/4^th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Killed in action Thursday 19^th April 1917 Age of 20 years

Son of William and Jane French Tudor House Western Road Fenny Stratford

No known grave

JAMES WILLIAM GARNER: Guardsman 201365 2^nd Battalion Grenadier Guards

Died of wounds Friday 12^th April 1918 Age of 20 years

Son of Mrs Annie S Garner of 70 Duncombe Street Bletchley He had previously worked as an engine cleaner at London & North Western Railway Locomotive Department Bletchley

Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery Pas de Calais France Plot XXIX Row A Grave 19A

HERBERT THOMAS GOODMAN: Acting Sergeant WR/28n9130 115^th Railway Company Roy al Engineers

Died Saturday 28^th September 1918 Age of 33 years

Son of Alfred and Roda Goodman 59 Napier Street Bletchley

Buried in GazaXXXII Row G Grave 6

FRANCIS WILLIAM GURNEY: Rifleman Z2264 4^th Battalion Rifle Brigade The Prince Consort’s Own

Killed in action Tuesday 16^th March 1915 Age of 20 years

Son of Frank and Ethel Gurney of 11 Duncombe Street Bletchley

No known grave

CYRIL RALPH HILL: Private 192242 42^nd Battalion Canadian Infantry

Died of wounds Thursday 19^th October 1916 Age of 20 years

Son of John and Lucy Hill of Rose Cottage Simpson Road Bletchley

Buried in Warlow-Ballion Communal Cemetery Extension Somme France  Plot VIII Row B Grave 22

THOMAS JACKMAN: Private 33463 6^th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Killed in action Thursday 20^th September 1917 Age of 19 years

Son of Henry and Mary Jackman 61 High Street Bletchley

Buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery Ieper West-Vlaanderen Belgium Plot IV Row H Grave 40

CHARLES WILLIAM JANES: Private 24224 2^nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action Tuesday 9^th October 1917 Age of 27 years

Son of Mrs E Janes 27 Oxford Street Bletchley

No known grave

ARTHUR RICHARD JORDAN: Private 702524 23^rd County of London Battalion London Regiment

Died Monday 16^th September 1918 Age of 20 years

Son of Mr R Jordan of Bletchley

Buried in Valenciennes St Roch Communal Cemetery Nord France Plot V Row F Grave 4

JOSEPH SIDNEY LITCHFIELD: Private 2^nd/1^st Buckinghamshire battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Died Friday 8^th September 1916 Age of 20 years

Son of John and Ann Litchfield 72 Victoria Road Fenny Stratford

Buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension Nord France Plot I Row A Grave 12

VICTOR GEORGE LORD: Private 12702 7^th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Died Wednesday 9^th May 1917

Resident with his grandparents William and Emma Lord High Street Fenny Stratford worked as a brush maker

No known grave

FREDERICK NICHOLS: Private 10250 1^st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

Killed in action Saturday 13^th March 1915 Age of 21 years

Son of Mr & Mrs Nichols 102 Simpson Road Bletchley

Buried in Ramparts Cemetery Lile Gate West Vlaanderen Belgium Row E Grave 7

VICTOR REGINALD LENARD PAGE: Private 16004 8^th Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Died from wounds Friday 6^th December 1918 Age of 23 years

Son of James and Elizabeth Page 35 Aylesbury Street Fenny Stratford

Buried in Sofia War Cemetery Bulgaria Plot III Row B Grave 5

TO BE CONTINUED:

I am putting names into a book of remembrance by date:

13^th March:

Frederick Nichols 1915

16^th March:

Francis William Gurney 1915

30^th March:

Frederick John Daniel 1918

31^st March:

Wilfred Barden 1918

12^th April:

James William Garner 1918

19^th April:

Arthur French 1917

9^th May:

Victor George Lord 1917

11^th May:

Herbert Cook 1917

Frederick Charles Baldwin 1918

7^th June:

Percy Edward Cranwell 1916

29^th June:

Bertie Edward Baldwin 1916

19^th July:

Frank Humphrey Barden 1916

Edward Charles Battams 1916

25^th July:

Horace William Biggs 1916

John Cox 1916

16^th August:

Ernest Hubert Fennemore 1917

26^th August:

Sidney William Brewer 1916

30^th August:

Horace Edward Crane 1918

8^th September:

Joseph Sidney Litchfield 1916

16^th September:

Arthur Richard Jordan 1918

20^th September:

Thomas Jackman 1917

21^st September:

Albert Charter 1918

22^nd September:

Harold Frederick Brooks 1917

25^th September:

Harold Cutler 1915

28^th September:

Herbert Thomas Goodman 1918

30^th September:

Archibald Thomas Betts 1916

4^th October:

Albert Edward Doyle 1917

9^th October:

Charles William Janes 1917

19^th October:

Cyril Ralph Hill 1916

22^nd October:

George Edward Day 1916

6^th December:

Victor Reginald Lenard Page 1919

They gave their young lives so we can live our old lives.

I have listed names from the memorials where their ages are given here in age order to show just how young these men were:

John Cox 18 years

Ernest Hubert Fennemore 19 years  Archibald Thomas Betts 19 years

George Edward Day 19 years  Thomas Jackman 19 years

Percy Edward Cranwell 19 years

Edward Charles Battams 20 years  Joseph Sidney Litchfield 20 years

James William Garner 20 years  Arthur Richard Jordan 20 years

Francis William Gurney 20 years  Arthur French 20 years  Cyril Ralph Hill 20 years

Frederick Nichols 21 years

Bertie Edward Baldwin 22 years  Harold Cutler 22 years

Victor Reginald Lenard Page 23 years

Harold Frederick Brooks 25 years

Frederick Charles Baldwin 26 years

Frederick John Daniel 27 years  Charles William Janes 27 years

Horace Edward Crane 28 years

Herbert Thomas Goodman 33 years

I am about 20% of the way through this writing. They gave their young lives – that needs to be they gave their VERY young lives.

From the war memorials I am taking names which have been identified as Bletchley and Fenny Stratford residents. EVERY name I am adding to this list would have known the Leon Family, not necessarily personally but would have known of the work Sammy and his family did in the community. They would have walked in Leon Recreation Ground, they would have attended Bletchley Week in Bletchley Park and many would have attended the school where Lady Leon was a manager.

So my research is moving in a slightly different direction. When it  is finished it will form a chapter in the book IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAMMY LEON but it will also give a calendar of days when those very young lives were lost. In the city centre of Birmingham there is a

memorial where such a book is on display, each day a page being turned. In our crematorium at Crown Hill there is a similar book listing day by day, year by year lives celebrated there.

Do you ever watch the TV documentary series A HOUSE THROUGH TIME ?  As the addresses of the fallen are shared I hope that this will bring something to the streets today where they lived more than one hundred years ago. In Wavendon names from the war memorial have been taken to name streets in a new development. That is special.

Amazon is in the process of setting up a blog forum for its authors but until that is operational I am here using Google Blogger which is not as good as it used to be. PLEASE if you wish to comment or add anything to the project e-mail me at dashford566@gmail.com or friend andmessage me on Facebook.

My Amazon profile can be found at: www.maxrobinsonwriter.com

FINALLY for today – before the end of the month I plan to share the project with the Leon Family and keep them in the loop. I am aiming for publication in April 2022