Leonard Brown
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Leonard Brown was the son of William and Sarah Ann Brown. William was born in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, and Sarah Ann in Misson, Nottinghamshire. According to the information provided on the 1911 Census, William and Sarah had been married for 43 years and had had fourteen children of whom only nine were still living. Eleven children were named on the four census between 1881 and 1911: Jane, George, Ada, Mary, Eliza, Alice, William, Florence, Cecilia, Andrew and Leonard. All the children were born in Blaxton. In 1881 William (36), was farming Machin's Farm (50 acres) in Blaxton. In the home on the night of the census were his wife, Sarah (34) and their children Jane (12), George (11), Ada (9), Mary (8), Eliza (5), Alice (5), William (3) and Florence (1). Also in the household was William's widowed mother, Ann Brown (74, b. Beckingham) and Charles Chester (20) a servant. The family was still on Machin's Farm ten years later in 1891. In the home on the night of the census were: William (46), Sarah (44), Jane (22), George (21), William (13), Cecilia (9), Andrew (6) and Leonard (3 months). The older children, Jane, George and William, were helping their father on the farm. In 1901 William and Sarah were living on Back Lane, Blaxton; William was still described as a farmer. Also in the home were William (22), Cecilia (18) and Andrew (16), who all appear to be assisting on the farm or in the home, and Leonard (10) who was still at school. By 1911 the family home was at 2 Mosham Road, Blaxton. William (66) was still a farmer and the four children who were still living with their parents - Eliza (35), Cecilia (28), Andrew (26) and Leonard (20) - were assisting either on the farm on in the home. The CWGC record gives the information that Leonard was the son of the 'late William and Sarah Ann Brown'; it is likely William predeceased his son. His mother Sarah Ann Brown was named initially as his next of kin, her address was given as 'Blackstone, near Doncaster'. However, his service record indicates that Leonard later gave his next of kin as 'Miss (sic) G Brown, Moorland View, Victoria Road, Totley Road, Sheffield.'
Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Leonard enlisted on 11 December 1915 and was drafted for the British Expeditionary Force (France) on 10 July 1916. He joined Howe Battalion on 20 June 1916 but reported sick in September 1916 (scabies and boils) and did not rejoin the Battalion until 26 November 1916. Leonard was 'killed or died as a direct result of enemy action'. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
CWGC additional information:- Son of the late William and Sarah Ann Brown of Blaxton, Doncaster. Research by Colin Dannatt
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