James Leonard's Story.
Born in 1896 at Newton, registered at Prestwich, Manchester. James is shown to be living with his cousin, William Jennison, at Meadcroft, St Johns Road, Eastbourne, Sussex in 1901. The 1911 census indicates that he was educated at Rugby School. The family for a while lived at The Cottage, Wincle, Cheshire. James was drafted to the Western Front. The Battalion was in the 31st Division, and their war diary for May 1917 relates to the action on 3 May; In trenches at GAVRELLE (right sector). At 3.35 a.m. our barrage commenced and the Battalion went forward to attack, and from information received afterwards, reached first objective without serious losses. Heavy artillery and machine guns both sides remained very active and 5.30 a.m. no definite information received. About this time wounded men were beginning to dribble in, and from their account it was obvious that our attack had failed in reaching its second objective and also in holding its first. James was killed in action, 03/05/1917, he was aged 21 years.
Probate of his Will and Effects: went to Richard Jennison (Junior), William Jennison and George Jennison, Gentlemen, £341.3s.11d.
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank Harry Carlisle for this research on James.