Leonard Garton

Leonard Garton enlisted on 7 February 1915 and was posted to the East Yorkshire Regiment (37423). He was transferred the following day to the Army Reserve and not mobilised until 4 March 1916. However, on 6 March he was again transferred to the Army Reserve then mobilised on 3 April 1917 and posted to the Regiment's Depot on the 16th of the same month.

Transferred to the 2/5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment on 20 April 1917, he embarked for BEF France on 3 January 1918. He then transferred to the Durham Light Infantry and was to the 7th Battalion on 6 January 1918.

Leonard was wounded in action and died from his wounds in 6th General Hospital, France, on 30 March 1918.

He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen (grave ref. P IX E 6B).

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)

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 notice (abridged), 4 April 1918: 'Garton. Died of wounds in hospital March 30th 1918, Private Leonard Garton, age 30, eldest son of Mrs Garton, 40 Radford Boulevard. Mother, sisters, brothers, fiancée Mary.'

Brian Szowkomud contributed to this page.