Thomas Lawrence Washington Leonard
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas was born on 15th July 1899 in Cricklewood, London and was the only son of Napoleon a surgeon and doctor and Florence Beatrice Leonard nee Whitby, of 372 Berridge Road, Nottingham. His father Napoleon was born in 1876 in Nottingham and his mother Florence Beatrice Whitby was born in 1875 also in Nottingham, they were married in 1898 in Islington , they had only the one child Thomas. In the 1901 census the family are living at Oakland Road, Willesdon, Harrow, London, Napoleon is shown as a medical student he is living with his wife Florence and their 1 year old son Thomas. By the 1911 census we find the family living at 14 Windermere Road, Nottingham , on the night of the census only Florence Beatrice living on her own means is at the address with her son Thomas Lawrence 11 yrs, Meanwhile his father Napoleon is a visitor at an address, 4 Thorpebank Road, Shepherdsbush, London , he is visiting George and Hannah Hill , he is shown as being 35 yrs and a surgeon and medical doctor.
Second Lieutenant Thomas Laurence Washington Leonard, 101 Squadron Royal Air Force, was killed in action on 30th October 1918. He is buried in Awoingt British Cemetery. Taking off in FE2b E7056 at 2225, he failed to return from the operation with his pilot, Lieutenant James Malley-Martin, M.C., Border Regiment, attached Royal Air Force. He, too, is buried in Awoingt British Cemetery.
Obituary published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 30th October 1919 :- “LEONARD. – In loving memory of my beloved son, Sec.-Lieut. Thomas Laurence W. Leonard, Royal Air Force, killed in action in France in bombing raid, October 30th, 1918. – Sadly missed by his mother, grandma and grandpa Whitby, also grandpa Leonard, late 13 Park-row.” Above information and obituary courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Inscription on gravestone of James and Emma Whitby, Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: 'Also of 2nd Lieut. TLW Leonard RAF the beloved son of Dr N & FB Leonard, and grandson of the above [James and Emma Whitby], who was killed in action whilst flying in France, Oct. 29th 1918. Aged 19 years.'
