John Leonard Townsend
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- Military History
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John Leonard Townsend was born in 1894 the son of John Joseph a coal miner hewer and Millicent Townsend née Fletcher of Priory Road, Gedling, Nottingham. John Joseph was born in 1872 at Sutton Bonnington, Millicent Fletcher was born in 1867 at Smalley, Derbyshire, married in 1890 at Nottingham they had 5 children. In 1911 the family lived at Priory Road, Gedling, John Joseph 39 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living wit his wife Millicent 44 yrs and their 5 children, John married Lucy Sabina Hart (born 24th June 1890) on 11th September 1916 at the Nottingham Registrar Office. they lived at 16 Fretwell Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham. Commencing 4th February 1918 his widow was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week.
Bombardier John Leonard Townsend, attested at Nottingham on 9th December 1915 giving his age as 21 yrs and 11 months, he was a coal miner. Mobilised for war on 15th June 1916, he embarked from Southampton on 3rd February 1917 and landed at Le Harve the following day. He served with 254th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery and was appointed Bombardier on 29th June 1017 he was killed in action on 12th July 1917 and is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery.
In memoriam published 12th July 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- TOWNSEND. – In loving memory of Bdr. Leonard Townsend, R.G.A., Hyson Green, killed in action July 12th, 1917, aged 24 years. A year has passed since that sad day when God called our dear one away. God took him home, it was His will; forget him, no, we never will. – From his sorrowing wife, father, mother, sister, and brothers.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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