William Leonard Hutchinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was the youngest child of Joseph and Martha Hutchinson (née Housley). His father Joseph was born in Carlton le Moorland, Lincolnshire, in 1849, the son of John and Elizabeth Hutchinson. His mother Martha Housley was born in Brinsley, Nottinghamshire. Joseph and Martha were married in 1875 and had six children one of whom died in childhood; all the children were born in Annesley: Esther Ann b. 1878 d. 1890, John Henry (Harry) b. 1881, Lilian b. 1883, Elizabeth b. 1886, George b. 1888 and William Leonard b. 1894. With the exception of William, all the children were baptised at Annesley All Saints. Joseph, a coal miner, and Martha lived in Annesley from the time of their marriage, and from 1891 to 1911 were recorded on the census at 78 New Annesley. Their eldest child Esther died in 1890 and in 1891 only four of their five surviving children were in the home on the night of the census; their eldest daughter Lilian was living with her paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth Hutchinson, also in New Annesley. Ten years later in 1901 Lilian was a domestic servant in Mansfield in the employ of Thomas Collins, a tobacco manufacturer, and his wife, while her four siblings were still living with their parents. Joseph probably died in 1901 (reg. O/N/D). In 1911 Joseph's widow was living in New Annesley with her daughter Elizabeth, a dressmaker (own account), and two of her sons, George, a coal miner loader, and William, a coal miner/driver. Also in the household was her granddaughter, Marjorie Brownson (b. 1908). Two of Martha's children were married. John, an assurance company agent, had married Mabel Emily Hardy in 1909 and they were living in East Kirkby. Lilian had married Alonzo Brownson in 1906 and they and their son Edward George were living at the Bowden Arms hotel, Clowne, Derbyshire, where Alonzo was the licensee. Their second child, Marjorie, was with Lilian's mother in Annesley. Martha probably died in 1931. William's brother John Henry, an insurance agent, enlisted in Nottingham on 22 February 1918 aged 36. He served as a Gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery and was demobilized on 2 April 1919. However, reports in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times of appeals heard by the Kirkby Tribunal between 1916 and 1917 recorded that John had previously been allowed exemption certificates. In July 1917 an exemption certificate was allowed both on medical grounds and through his firm's appeal that 'it was impossible to replace him' as they had 'parted with 9,000 of their agents and 12 out of 16 at Kirkby.' Also, his widowed mother was solely dependent on him and 'a brother had been killed in the war.' In October 1917 he was exempted 'on condition that he works two days a week on the land.' (28 July & 4 August 1916, 27 July & 26 October 1917)
'B' Battery, 152nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery. CLII (Nottingham) Brigade, also known as 152 (Howitzer) Brigade, was formed in Nottingham in April/May 1915, one of four Howitzer Brigades RFA. The four Howitzer Brigades, formed in Nottingham, Sunderland, Staffordshire and Leicestershire, came under command of 34th Division. The 152 (Howitzer) Brigade comprised A, B.C and D Batteries, each with four 18 -pounder field guns, and a Brigade Ammunition Column. In May 1916 the Brigade’s Ammunition Column moved to join the 34th Divisional Ammunition Column and the four field gun batteries were reorganised between May and November 1916. All but B Battery subsequently changed battery names while B Battery received a section of two guns from C Battery which had been broken up. (www.longlongtrail.co.uk) William Leonard enlisted in 1914 and was killed in action on 8 March 1917 the month before the Arras Offensive. His grave was brought into Roclincourt Military Cemetery from the battlefields after the Armistice (grave ref. IV.F.12). CWGC - History of Roclincourt Military Cemetery, France (extract): 'The French troops who held this front before March 1916 made a military cemetery (now removed), on the south-west side of which the present Commonwealth cemetery was made. It was begun by the 51st (Highland) and 34th Divisions in April 1917, and contains many graves of 9 April, the first day of the Battles of Arras. It continued in use, as a front-line cemetery, until October 1918 and after the Armistice graves, mostly from the battlefield north of Roclincourt, were brought into Plot IV, Row F.' (www.cwgc.org)
Mansfield Reporter & Sutton Times, 30 March 1917: ‘Annesley Soldier Killed. An Annesley man, Mr JH Hutchinson, received news of the death of his brother Gunner William Leonard Hutchinson, formerly employed at Annesley pit. He was in the RFA into which he enlisted in 1914. He was 22 years of age and was killed in action on March 8th.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette & Echo, 14 April 1917 (extract): ‘Easter Day at Annesley. Very impressive and helpful services were held at the Annesley Parish Church last Sunday (Easter Day) … In the sanctuary and church were various plants lent by [names] which contrasted beautifully with the Union Jacks lent by [names] hanging on each side of the altar. The altar flowers were provided by Mrs Hutchinson and family to the memory of Gunner WL Hutchinson. The pillars in the nave were also clothed with the Union Jack, and upon them laurel wreaths to the memory of the following Annesley heroes: Lieut PJ Chaworth Musters, Privates WL Hutchinson, Adlard, Pilch, Carter, Lee, Whitehead, Davis, Lines, Charles and Stirland.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Martha Hutchinson was his sole legatee.
