Leonard Leslie Radford
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Leonard was the second son of Thomas and Annie Jane Radford. At the time of the 1911 Census when Thomas and Annie had been married for 18 years they had five children: Thomas Edgar (b. 22 August 1893), Leonard Leslie (b. 29 November 1895), Frederick William (birth registered 1899, J/F/M Basford), Elsie Emily (b. 30 January 1901) and Ada Frances (birth registered 1903, J/F/M Nottingham). In 1901 the family was living at 18 Albert Street, Bulwell. Thomas (36), a coal miner hewer, and Annie (26) had four children; Thomas (7), Leonard (5), Frederick (2) and Elsie (2 months) By 1911 Thomas and Annie had moved to 42 Ockerby Street, Bulwell, and were living there with their five children, Thomas (17), who worked in a restaurant, Leonard (15), a hosiery finisher, and Frederick (12), Elsie (10) and Ada (8) who were all still at school. The family was still living at the same address when Leonard was killed in 1917. Of Leonard's siblings: Thomas Edgar married Susanna Knowles in 1920 (marriage registered A/M/J Nottingham) and died in January 1970 aged 76. Frederick William died in 1950 aged 51 Elsie Emily married Sidney Buck in 1923 (marriage registered A/M/J Nottingham) and died in 1980 aged 79. Ada Frances died in 1934 (buried 12 December) aged 31.
RNVR Hawke Bn, Royal Naval Division (Kitchener P/541). Leonard enlisted on 8 September 1914 in the Northumberland Fusiliers but transferred to the RNVR (Hawke Battalion) at Crystal Palace on 10 September 1914. He had a recorded period of ill health in 1915 (cardiac dilation) and was unfit for duty from 10 March 1915 to 18 July 1915, and did not rejoin the battalion until 22 November 1915. He was killed on 18 April 1917: 'Hawke Bn. War Diary 18/4/17:- “During the day a heavy bombardment took place on our Front & Support Lines. Guns of all calibres but mainly 5.9s. Six men killed and 12 wounded. [R/511 F. Hibberd, R/510 J.E. Hitchens, R/343 D.O. Jones, KP/541 L. Radford, Wales Z/1401 S. Rogers, & Bristol Z/1395 C. White.] A number of gas shells were sent over, catching some of our parties unawares. Lieutenant WOLFE-BARRY & Sub Lieutenant HUGHES both got badly gassed & were evacuated."' Leonard has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
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