Leonard Cresswell

Leonard Cresswell was born c1893 at Alfreton, Derbyshire, to parents Stephen John and Mary Cresswell. Leonard was the only boy in the family having six sisters – Ethel, Adelaide, Ellen, Elsie May, Beatrice Evelyn and Eva. The family moved to Sherwood Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield around 1902, and to Kirkby-in-Ashfield prior to the 1911 census return. In 1911 they lived at 76 Quarry Road Bulwell Nottingham. The family had moved to 9 Edward Street prior to his death.

Leonard left his job as a coal miner attesting at Mansfield on 27th May 1915 and was posted to 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, Chatsworth Rifles. He was 20 years and 161 days old. He probably trained at Aldershot as he spent three days in the Connaught Hospital during November 1915 being treated for scabies. He embarked at Southampton leaving for France on the 6th March 1916 and was soon in the thick of the fighting. He was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal on 17th July 1917 and as a paid Lance Corporal on 2nd November 1917. Leonard was wounded several times. He received a gun shot wound to the ear and head on 12th July 19l6 but was able to rejoin his battalion four days later. On 7th October the same year he was again hospitalised with a gun shot wound to his side and a wound to his finger saw him being treated at the 16th General Hospital in Le Treport during August 1917. Leonard Cresswell died from wounds on Monday, 25th March 1918, aged 25 years having been with the Colours for 2 years and 249 days, and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. He was buried in St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France (grave ref. VIII.E.4). Leonard’s name is also commemorated on the Kirkby War Memorial.

Additional information courtesy of Lynne Weston