Leonard Pendleton

Leonard was the son of John and Ann Pendleton (née Barnes). His father John was born in Basford in about 1858, the son of John and Eliza Pendleton. Both John and his father (also John b. Leicester) were needle makers. His mother Ann Barnes was born in Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire, in about 1863. John and Ann were married at Hyson Green St Paul on 23 December 1882 and had eight children of whom seven survived infancy or childhood. The seven children were born in Nottingham: Harold b. 1884, Leonard b. 27 April 1887, Alfred b. 1889, John William b. 1896, Harriett Mary b. 1898, Herbert Shelton b. 1900 and Annie b. 1902. In 1891 John, a steel needle maker, and Ann, a lace worker, were living at 43 Dickinson Street, St Ann's Well Road, with their children Harold, Leonard and Alfred. Also in the household was Ann's widowed mother, Eliza Barnes. The family was still at the same address in 1901. John and Ann now had six children: Harold a lace warehouse boy, Leonard a fruiterer's assistant, Alfred, Harriett, John and Herbert. Their second daughter Annie was born the following year. By 1911 John and Ann had moved to 41 Dickinson Street. Only Leonard, a Leivers lace hand, Harriet a lace hand pattern girl, John a printer and Herbert and Annie who were at school. John and Ann were still living at 41 Dickinson Street in July 1919 when their daughter-in-law completed a form listing her husband's surviving relatives. John died in 1936 and Ann died ten years later in 1946. Leonard married Florence Holmes at Nottingham St Ann's on 20 May 1912; they had one child, Florence May b. 1913. Leonard and Florence lived at 28 Martin Street, St Ann's Well Road, and Florence and her daughter were still living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Florence May married John R. Morton in 1940. Her mother died on 12 February 1945. Three of Leonard's four brothers also served in the war, Harold and Alfred with the army in France and John (Jack) in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Z/5319).

1901 - fruiterer's assistant. 1911 - Leivers lace hand

28 Martin Street, St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham. Enlisted Nottingham

9th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. Leonard attested on a Short Service Engagement (Duration of the War) on 14 December 1914. He was 27 years 8 months old and working as a factory lace hand. He joined at Winchester on 18 December 1914 and posted to the BEF France on 18 May 1915; he was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 9 August. On 13 October 1915 Leonard suffered a shell wound (right thigh) and posted home on 16 October; there was a record dated 22 November that he was transferred from hospital (unknown) to the Military Convalescent Hospital, Dartford. He was granted furlough from 25 November to 2 December 1915, contact address 28 Martin Street, then posted on 6 December. He returned to France in February 1916. On 26 June 1916 he was admitted to 42 Field Ambulance (diagnosis unclear, '?ICF feet') then transferred the same day to 43 Casualty Clearing Station. Leonard was admitted to No.2 General Hospital Treport on 3 July, then to No. 6 Stationary Hospital Havre. He was back with his battalion by the beginning of September and appointed acting corporal on 19 September. Leonard was confirmed in the rank of corporal on 2 January 1917 followed the same day by his appointment to paid lance sergeant. Three months later he was killed in action at Arras on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France (panel ref. Bay 7). He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was awarded the Military Medal on 9 December 1916.

Leonard may have been a distant relative of George Louis Pendleton, 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters, who was killed on 1 July 1916. Both boys' fathers were needle makers and the families originated in Leicestesr. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC: 'Husband of Florence Pendleton, of 28, Martin St., St. Ann's Well Rd., Nottingham.' CWGC: 'age 30'. The notice of his death placed in the local paper by his parents on 27 April 1917 read 'aged 30 to-day (April 27th)' (reg. 1887 O/N/D), so he was 29 years old at the time of his death. Nottingham St Mary's parish register, page 530: '28 Martin Street. Pendleton Leonard (killed).' (Nottinghamshire Archives ref. PR,6786). Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 27 April 1917: ‘Pendleton. Killed in action, April 9th, Sergeant Leonard Pendleton, KRR, aged 30 years. A bitter blow, a shock severe, to part with one we loved so dear. He bravely answered duty’s call, his life he gave for one and all. From his broken-hearted wife and baby and sister Edith.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 27 April 1917: ‘Pendleton. Killed in action, Easter Monday, Sergeant Leonard Pendleton, KRR, Military Medallist, aged 30 to-day (April 27th). Noble sacrifice. Sorrowing mother, father, sisters, brothers Harold and Alf (in France), Jack [John] (at sea).’ Nobel(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 April 1918: ‘Pendleton. In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergt. Leonard Pendleton, KRR, killed in action April 9th, 1917. One year has passed, our hearts still sore, as day by day we miss him more; his welcome smile, his dear sweet face, never on earth can be replaced. Sadly missed by his loving wife and child, and sister Edith.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 April 1918: ‘Pendleton. In loving memory of Sergt. Leonard Pendleton, KRR, fell in action April 9th, 1917. A day of remembrance sad to recall; but the unknown grave is the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. From his loving mother, father, sisters, and brothers (Harold and Alf in France, Jack [John] at sea).’(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 April 1919. ‘Pendleton. In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergt. Leonard Pendleton, KRR, Military Medallist, killed at Arras April 9th, 1917. Ioved you in life, you are dear to me still, but in grief I must bend to God’s holy will; the sorrow is great, the loss hard to bear, but angels, dear husband, will guard you with care. From his loving wife and little daughter Florrie and sister Edith.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 April 1919: ‘Pendleton. In loving memory of our dear son, Sergt. Leonard Pendleton, KRR, fell in action April 9th, 1917. Dear is the grave where our son is laid, sweet is the memory that will never fade. From his loving mother, father, brothers, and sisters (41 Dickinson-street).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Leonard's widow, Florence, was awarded a pension of 20 shillings a week for herself and their daughter Florence May with effect from 29 October 1917. Leonard's private property was returned to his widow in September 1917 and comprised: 2 discs, leather wallet, cards, photos, sundry papers, note book, piece MM ribbon, silver watch and strap. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 14 February 1945. ‘Pendleton. On February 12th, Florence dearly loved mother of Florrie, Bob [husband]. Service Thursday, King’s Hall, 3.0, interment Wilford Hill, 3.30.’ (www.britishnewsparearchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 12 February 1946: ‘Pendleton. In loving memory of dearest mother, February 12th 1945, Reunited with father, killed in action April 1917. In heavenly love abiding. (-) daughter Florrie, and Bob.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 3 August 1946. ‘Pendleton. On July 31st, Ann, widow of the late John. Funeral service Monday, 11 o’clock, St Ann’s Church, 11.30 Wilford Hill. No letters please, Loving sons and daughters.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)