Leonard Augustus Mayfield
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Leonard was born at St Ann's, Nottingham, on 29th September 1895 he was the only child of Leonard a hosiery warehouseman and Kate Elizabeth Mayfield née Smith of Leslie Road, Nottingham. His father Leonard was born in 1866 at Kimberley, his mother Kate Elizabeth Smith was born in 1864 in St Ann's they were married in 1893 at Nottingham. At the time of the 1911 census he and his parents were living at 72 Leslie Road, Nottingham. he was 15 years of age and still a scholar. His parents later lived in Woodthorpe, Nottingham.Leonard was married to Winifred Rawson in 1917 at Nottingham, they lived at 8 Owthorpe Grove, Sherwood, Nottingham. He was employed in the offices of J & R Morley at Fletcher Gate.
Second Lieutenant Leonard Mayfield enlisted into the Army as a private in September 1914 and within five weeks was promoted to sergeant. He went to France in September 1915 and was commissioned temporary second lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers, attached 1st Battalion. The battalion landed at Havre on the 14th August 1914 as part of the original British Expeditionary Force. He was killed in action at Cambrai on 27 September 1918. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
WMA27430: Leonard's family raised a memorial in St Augustine's church; the church was demolished in 1989 and the whereabouts of the memorial is not known. The memorial was carved dark wood, approx. 6ftx4ft, the insignia of the Northumberland Fusiliers is carved at the top of the board with two carved female figures either side of the inscription: 'To the Glory of God, King and Country. In memory of Leonard Augustus Mayfield, chorister and sacristan of this church. 2nd Lieutenant First Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, loving husband of Winifrid and only son of Leonard and Kate Elizabeth Mayfield. Killed at Havrincourt while leading his men in action and within 12 yards of his objective, on the morning of September 27th 1918. Born September 29th 1895.' (Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project). Nottingham Evening Post , 'Roll of Honour, , 15 October 1918: 'Mayfield. Killed in action September 27th, Second Lieutenant A Mayfield, Northumberland Fusiliers, husband of Winifred Mayfield, Sherwood. Only son of Mr and Mrs Leonard Mayfield of Woodthorpe.'
