Leonard Garton
1901 - errand boy
1911 - plumber's clerk and in the same occupation when he attested in 1915.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Leonard was the eldest child of Richard and Elizabeth Garton (née Taylor)
His father Richard was born in Radford, Nottingham, in 1863 and his mother Elizabeth in Skegby, Nottinghamshire. They were married in 1887 and had six children who were born in Radford: Leonard birth reg. 1888 (JFM), Lewis Granville b. 1890, Lily b. 1893, Lawrence b. 1895, Doris May b. 1903 and Richard b. 1905.
Richard, a coal miner, his wife and their two son, Leonard and Lewis, were living in White Horse Yard, Ikeston Road, Nottingham, in 1891. The couple had moved to 20 Beaconsfield Terrace by 1901 and now had four children; Leonard, an errand boy, Lewis, Lily and Lawrence. Their second daughter, Doris, was born in 1903 and their fourth son, Richard, in 1905.
The family was living at 18 Beaconsfield Terrace in 1911: Richard, who was still working as a coal miner/hewer, Elizabeth, Leonard, a plumber's clerk, Lewis a miner/hewer, Lily an errand girl (cycle works), Lawrence a wood machinist (telephone works) and Doris and Richard who were school age.
When Leonard enlisted in 1915 he gave his address as 40 Radford Boulevard, Nottingham, and named his mother, of the same address, as his next of kin.
Richard senior died on 17 January 1917 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
His widow Elizabeth completed a form for the Army in October 1919 listing her son Leonard's surviving blood relatives: Lily (26), Lawrence (24), Doris (16) and Richard (14) all of 40 Radford Boulevard and Lewis (29) of 3 Mount Pleasant, Lenton; Lewis had married Eliza Hibbert in 1915.
Elizabeth was still living at 40 Radford Boulevard in 1921. Also in the home were Lily occupation 'burring' (Raleigh Cycles), Lawrence a plumber's mate (out of work), Doris a cigarette hand (Imperial Tobacco) and Richard a grocer's errand lad.
Elizabeth and her unmarried daughter, Doris, a cigarette packing machine attendant, were living at 12 Beresford Street, Radford, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Elizabeth's daughter Lily had married James Wilson in 1922, and her two other sons were also married; Lawrence to Sarah Pomberth in 1923 and Richard to Florence Gillott in 1930.
Elizabeth Garton died in 1962 aged 95. Two sons predeceased her; Leonard (d. 1918) and Lewis (d. 1950), and her last surviving child, Doris May (Garton), died aged 96 on 25 November 1999.
'H' Company, 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
Leonard's Army service record survives ('burnt records') but the dates of events and details of units are often unclear. At least one document is headed with the details of another serviceman named Leonard Garton (49672 Private West Riding Regiment) of Nottingham Road, Kimberley, Nottingham. He enlisted at the age of 18y 10m (b. 1897), occupation hosiery warehouseman. He attested in February 1916, transferred to the Army Reserve, mobilised 12 May 1916, posted 13 May but found medically unfit. Remobilised 17 July 1917 to the Sherwood Foresters but posted to the Yorkshire Regiment on 19 July. He embarked on 3 January 1918, posted 12th Bn Yorkshire Regiment 6 April and transferred to the 5th Bn East (sic) Riding Regiment on 26 July. He was wounded/reported missing 25 August 1918; later identified as a prisoner of war, interned in Germany (Friedrichsfeld). Discharged 15 October 1919.
The name and similarity of regiments/dates raises the question of the accuracy of some of the details in the records of 78970 Private Leonard Garton Durham Light Infantry (previously Sherwood Foresters and East Yorkshire Regiment).
Leonard Garton (b. 1888) attested on 7 December 1915 and appears to have been posted to the Sherwood Foresters (37423, 46891) then transferred to the Army Reserve the following day, 8 December 1915.
He was not mobilised until 4 March 1916 and his age at enlistment, 28 years 7 days (b. 1888 reg. JFM), probably refers to his age on mobilisation. Leonard was transferred to the Army Reserve on 6 March 1916 having been found 'fit for sedentary work by a Medical Board', possibly a reference to his height 5' 2", weight 98lbs [7 stone] and physical development ‘poor (P132)'.
He was medically examined on 20 December 1916 and again on 3 April 1917 (declared age 29) and remobilised the same day. Leonard was posted to the 'Regiment's Depot' on the 16th and to 2/5th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment on 20 April 1917.
Leonard embarked for BEF France on 3 January 1918 and on 6 January transferred from the East Yorkshire Regiment to the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.
He suffered gunshot wounds (?hip) and died from his wounds at 6th General Hospital, Rouen, on 30 March 1918 (Field Service, report No. N.034421/2 from No. 6 General Hospital, dated 31 March). He was buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen (grave ref. P IX E 6B).
He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of the Cemetery (extract): 'During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham General Cemetery family grave, headstone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Richard Garton 1863-1917, his wife Elizabeth (née Taylor) 186-–1962 and family Leonard 18-1918 buried at St Sevre France, Lewis 1890-1950 buried at Bulwell, Lily Wilson 1893-1966, Lawrence 1895-1966, Doris May 1903-1999, Richard 1905-1987 cremated at Bramcote. Reunited. Rest in Peace'
CWGC Additional information: Son of Richard and Elizabeth Garton, of 40, Radford Boulevard, Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Greater love hath no man'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 17 January 1918: ‘Garton. In loving memory of our dear father, Richard Garton, died January 17th, 1917. A day of remembrance sad to recall. Wife and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 4 April 1918: ‘Garton. Died of wounds in hospital, March 30th 1918, Pte Leonard Garton, aged 30, eldest and dearly loved son of Mrs Garton, 40, Radford-boulevard. No loved ones stood beside him to hear his last farewell, not a word of comfort could he have from those who loved him so well. From his sorrowing mother, sisters, brothers, and fiancée Mary.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Garton Elizabeth of 12 Beresford Street Radford Nottingham widow died 25 September 1962 Administration 18 October to Doris May Garton spinster. Effects £113 9s. 10d.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 29 November 1999: ‘Garton. Doris May. Passed away peacefully on 25th November 1999, aged 96 years. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday 1st December in Thomas Helwys Baptist Church, Lenton, at 1.45pm followed by commital at Bramcote Crematoium. Floral tributes may be sent c/o Baguley Bros. Sherwood.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchives. There were three other private notices.
Brian Szowkomud contributed to this page. Additional research/record updated RF (July 2026)
Photo of Leonard Garton
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of Leonard Garton
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (23 July 2026)