Leonard George Bramer
1911 - employed as an errand boy
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Leonard George Bramer was the younest son of Edwin and Harriett Bramer (née Goddard).
His father Edwin was born in 1852 at Worksop and his mother Harriett in 1854 at Nottingham. They were married on 2 October 1877 at St Stephens Church, Nottingham, and had nine children, two of whom probably died in infancy or early childhood.
The seven children who survived into adulthood were: Elizabeth Ann b. 1878, Sarah Ann b. 1880, Thomas Edwin b. 1882, Lily Mary b. 1889, William Henry b. 1891, Ernest Harold b. 1893 and Leonard George b. 1896. Five of the children were baptised at Nottingham St Mark: Elizabeth, Sarah and Thomas on 4 February 1885, home address 3 Old Street; and Lily May on 22 May 1889 and Wiliam Henry on 18 November 1891, home address 7 Brunswick Square.
In 1901, Edwin, a painter and paper hanger, and Harriet were living at 52 Independent Street with their six youngest children: Sarah, a curtain taper, Thomas a nut and screw maker, and Lily, William, Ernest and Leonard.
The eldest daughter, Elizabeth Ann, had married William Thomas Blatherwick, a horse driver (coal) at Basford St Leodegarious on 15 October 1900. She died aged 25 in 1903 (reg JAS). There were no children of the marriage.
The family was living at 9 Palin Street, Nottingham, by 1911: Edwin, Harriett and their six surviving children, Sarah Ann a curtain overlocker, Thomas a house painter, Lily a curtain presser, William a joiner, Ernest an apprentice house painter and Leonard an errand boy.
Edwin died at his home, 26 Birkin Avenue, on 4 November 1915 aged 63 and his widow Harriett also died at home on 26 March 1919 aged 64. Both are buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
The four surviving siblings, Sarah, Lily, William and Ernest, were still living at 26 Birkin Avenue in 1921.
Ernest married Marjorie Wainer in 1937 and in 1939 they were living on Stanley Road, Nottingham. He died in 1959. His three unmarried siblings, Sarah, Lily and William, were recorded at 26 Birkin Avenue in 1939: Sarah's occupation was given as 'unpaid domestic duties, Lily was was a lace finisher and William a joiner. Sarah died in 1949, William in 1969 and Lily in 1976.
Leonard George Bramer enlisted in Nottingham and served initially in the Royal Scots Regiment (62147 Private). He later transferred to 'D' Company, 12th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (CWGC), although UK Soldiers Died in the Great War records that he had served in the 9th (Glasgow Highland) Bn (Territorial) Highland Light Infantry, previously Royal Scots.
Leonard was killed in action on 25 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 131 to 132).
Leonard's brother, Thomas Edwin, served in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters and was killed in action on 3 June 1917. He is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour).
Their brother William, a joiner, also served in the War. He served initially with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (21606 Private) and served in theatre (BEF France) from 2 Jun 1915; he had probably enlisted on 11 February 1915. There is a record that he later served in the Middle East as there is a record of him being admitted to hospital, probably in Alexandria, Egypt, in December 1916, suffering from malaria. However, he later transferred to the RFC and on 2 April 1918 to the RAF. He was discharged on 30 April 1920. He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave, inscription: ‘In loving memory of Edwin the beloved husband of Harriett Bramer who died Nov. 4th 1915 also Thomas Edwin killed in action in France June 3rd 1917 aged 34. Also Leonard George killed in action in France March 25th 1918 aged 22. The beloved sons of the above. Peace Perfect Peace’. Also of the above named Harriett Bramer the beloved wife and mother of the above. Died March 26th 19(-) aged 55’
CWGC Additional information: Son of the late Edwin and Harriett Bramer, of 26, Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 5&6 November 1915: ‘Bramer. On November 4th, at 26 Birkin-avenue, Edwin the beloved husband of Harriet Bramer, in his 64th year. At rest.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 28&29 March 1919: ‘Bramer. On March 26th, at 26 Birkin-avenue, Harriett, the dearly beloved wife of the late Edwin Bramer, in her 65th year. Reunited. Peace after pain. Broken-hearted sons and daughters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 19 April 1918: 'Bramer. Killed in action March 25th 1918, Private Leonard George Bramer, Highland Light Infantry, youngest son of Harriett and the late Edwin Bramer, 26 Birkin Avenue. Also Ted, his brother, killed in action June 3rd 1917. Mother, sisters, brothers, William with the Colours.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 3 June 1918: 'Bramer. In loving memory of Pte. Thomas Edwin Bramer, killed in action June 3rd, 1917. Also Pte. Leonard George, killed in action March 25th, 1918, dearly beloved sons of Harriett and the late Edwin Bramer, 26, Birkin-avenue. Loving sons and brothers, true and kind, they were to us in heart and mind, it is sweet to know we shall meet again, where parting is no more, to clasp their hands in that better land, never to part no more. Sorrowing mother, sisters, brothers, William with the colours.'
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour', 25 March 1919: 'Bramer. In loving memory of Pte. Leonard George Bramer, killed in action March 25th, 1918. Also Pte. Thomas Edwin, killed in action June 3rd, 1917, dearly-beloved sons of Harriett and the late Edwin Bramer, 26 Birkin-avenue. Gone are those faces we loved do dearly, silent are those voices we long to hear; far, too far away from sight and speech, but not too far four our thoughts to reach; there comes a mist in the blinding rain, for life will never be the same again. – Sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
The surviving siblings continued to place 'In Memoriam' notices in the Nottingham Evening Post for their parents and brothers Thomas and Leonard, until at least the 1950s.
Photo of Leonard George Bramer
Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (27 Aug. 1911)
Photo of Leonard George Bramer
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (www.cwgc.org)