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Leonard NELSON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: NELSON

Forename(s): Leonard

Place of Birth: Cantsfield, Lancashire

Service No: 28067

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Border Regiment

Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 6th (Service) Battalion

Division: 11th (Northern) Division

Age: 33

Date of Death: 1917-08-25

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: III. H. 20.

CWGC Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: HIGH BENTHAM, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: TUNSTALL, LANCASHIRE

Additional Information:

Leonard Nelson was the son of Jacob and Eleanor Nelson, née Bargh. Both of Leonard's parents were born at Cantsfield, Lancashire. Leonard was the cousin of Private Fred Slinger Nelson (42761) (q.v.) and Private Ernest Booth (200741) (q.v.).

1891 Cantsfield, Lancashire Census: Walton's Farm - Leonard Nelson, aged 6 years, born Cantsfield, son of Jacob and Eleanor Nelson.

1901 Cantsfield, Lancashire Census: Leonard Nelson, aged 16 years, born Cantsfield, son of Jacob and Eleanor Nelson.

1911 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Main Street - Leonard Nelson, aged 26 years, born Cantsfield, Lancashire. [Leonard was boarding with James and Jane Jackson.]

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Leonard Nelson, 3232, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry & 28067, Border Regiment.

A short biography of Leonard is included in: ‘Bentham’s Part in the Great War 1914-18’ by Allan and Marilyn Hartley (2019).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

WILSON [NELSON], Leonard, [Bentham], Border Regt., died of wounds, Aug. 25, 1917.

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Private Leonard NELSON

Private Leonard NELSON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Border Regiment

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Border Regiment

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: NELSON

Forename(s): Leonard

Born: Cantsfield, Lancs

Residence: Lancaster

Enlisted: Settle, Yorks

Number: 28067

Rank: Private

Regiment: Border Regiment

Battalion: 6th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 25/08/17

Died How: Died of wounds

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes: Formerly 3232, W. & C. Yeo.

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: NELSON

Forename(s): Leonard

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 28067

Rank: Private

Regiment: Border Regiment

Unit: 6th Bn.

Age: 33

Awards:

Died Date: 25/08/1917

Additional Information: Son of Jacob and Eleanor Nelson, of Walton Farm, Cantsfield, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth.

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Dozinghem Military Cemetery

Dozinghem Military Cemetery

CWGC Headstone

Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham

The High & Low Bentham men who gave their lives

The High & Low Bentham men who gave their lives

Top row (l-r): Rfn Ernest Knight Newhouse, Pte John Thornber, Reverend Theodore Bayley Hardy, Pte Richard Wilson, Pte Maurice Richard Bolton, Lieut John Barclay Clibborn, Pte William Throup, Pte Richard Wilcock Carr, A/Cpl William Robinson, Pte James Auton, Pte William Savage. Third row (l-r): L/Cpl David Percival Dixon, Pte John Emmott, Pte Francis Richard Townson, Pte John Adamthwaite, Pte Robert Carter, L/Cpl John Hutchinson, Pte Alfred Edward Gunn, Pte Ezra Stephenson, Pte Edwin Rawlinson Smith, Pte Richard Wearing, Lieut Basil William Ramsbotton. Third row (l-r): Spr Robert Clark, Act L/Cpl Thomas Wilcock, Cpl William Carr, Pte Lawrence Lancelot Dowbiggin, Pte Edward Magoolagan, Pte Isaac Rucastle, Pte Henry Taylor, Cpl Edward Ramskill, L/Cpl Edward Walton Briscoe, Pte Joseph Jackson, Gnr Ernest Wilcock. Fourth row (l-r): Capt Donald Morrison, Sgt Arthur Dean Blackburn, Pte James William Bell, Pte Leonard Nelson, L/Cpl John Edward Leeming, L/Cpl Albert Lister, Pte Percy Preston Whitfield, Cpl Tom Harry Smith, Cpl Thomas Walker Sanderson, Sgt William Patrick Tobin, Pte (Signaller) W. Wilkinson.

Courtesy of the artist, David Hartnup

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07 September 1917

NELSON – August 25th, died of wounds received in action in France, Private Leonard Nelson, Border Regiment, late of Bentham.

07 September 1917

HIGHER BENTHAM – TRADESMAN KILLED AT THE FRONT

The death from wounds of Mr. Leonard Nelson, tailor and draper, of Bentham, is the first tradesman’s loss that Bentham has suffered. Deceased enlisted as a Volunteer in May 1915, and was with the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry. He served some time at Curragh Camp, Ireland, but was transferred to the Border Regiment in December last, and went to France last Christmas with that regiment. He was widely known in the Bentham district, especially amongst the farmers, and was highly respected by all who knew him, being of a quiet turn.

The following letter from a nurse has been received by his mother, Mrs. Nelson, of Walton Farm, Cantsfield (where he was born):– “Dear Mrs. Nelson, – I have great regret in writing to confirm the death of your son, 28067, Private Nelson, of the Border ‘A’ Company in this hospital on the 25th inst. He was admitted on the 24th severely wounded in the arm and thigh, and was so ill that there was very little chance of his recovery from the first, and he gradually got weaker and died the following day. He did not leave any message for home. I can’t say how sorry we are that we could do no more than just make his last hours as peaceful and happy as possible. The chaplain at this address will give you any details of his grave and where he lies.”

16 November 1917

HIGHER BENTHAM – MEMORIAL SERVICE

The second memorial service for soldiers killed at the Front was held at St. Margaret’s Church on Sunday afternoon. The sacred edifice was well filled by parishioners of every shade of religious and political opinions. The Vicar (the Rev. G. H. C. Bartley) officiated, and the service was choral, commencing with the opening sentences of the burial service, chanted, as a processional with the Union Jack was carried in front, draped with violet. Between the lessons the choir gave the anthem, ‘I heard a voice from Heaven’ very beautifully, and the Vicar read out the names of the fifteen heroes who have laid down their lives from the parish, as well as the three who are missing, and supposed killed, as follows:– Captain D. Morrison; Private Ed. Magoolaghan; Lance Corporal Joe Jackson; Captain S. C. Bartley (the Vicar’s brother); Corporal E. Leeming; Private Tom Wilcock; Captain G. G. Eccles; Private Ezra Stevenson; Private Len Nelson; Captain Pollard; Private Percy Whitfield (N.Z.); Corporal Wm. Robinson; Corporal Harry Smith; Corporal R. Clarke (missing); Private Lancelot Dowbiggin; Private Ed. Briscoe; Private Edwin Smith.

As the names were read out many tears were shed at the memory of the loved ones ‘Gone West’. Then followed an excellent sermon by the Vicar from the words ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend’, at the conclusion of which Miss V. Stubbs played the ‘Dead March’ whilst the congregation remained standing. The recessional hymn was ‘For all the Saints’, and at the close the organist played ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ as a voluntary. The entire service was of a very impressive character.

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07 September 1917

NELSON – Killed in France, Leonard Nelson, of Bentham.

07 September 1917

BENTHAM

TRADESMAN KILLED AT THE FRONT

The death is reported from wounds of Mr. Leonard Nelson, tailor and draper, of Bentham, the first tradesman loss that Bentham has suffered. The deceased joined up as a volunteer in May, 1915, and was with the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry. He served some time at Curragh Camp, Ireland, and was transferred to the Border Regiment in December last. He went to France last Christmas with that regiment. He was widely known in the Bentham district, especially amongst the farmers and was highly respected by all who knew him.

16 November 1917

BENTHAM

MEMORIAL SERVICE – The second memorial service for soldiers killed at the front was held at St. Margaret’s Church on Sunday afternoon last. The sacred edifice was well filled by parishioners of every shade of religious and political opinion, and the service was of a solemn and reverent character. The vicar (Rev. G.H.C. Bartley) officiated , and the service was choral. It commenced with the opening sentence of the burial service being chanted as a processional. The Union Jack was carried in front, draped with violets. Between the lessons the choir gave the anthem ‘I heard a voice from Heaven,’ and the Vicar read the names of the 15 dead men belonging to the parish who have laid down their lives, as well as of the three who are missing and supposed killed, viz., Capt. D. Morrison. Pte. Ed Magoolaghan, Lance-Corpl. Joe Jackson, Capt. S.C. Bartley (the Vicar’s brother), Corpl. B. Leeming, Capt. Pollard, Pte. Tom Wilcock, Capt. G.[C.] G. Eccles, Pte. Ezra Stevenson, Pte. Len Nelson, Pte. Percy Whitfield (N.Z.). Corpl. Wm. Robinson, Corpl. Harry Smith, Corpl R. Clark; missing, Pte. Lancelot Dowbiggin, Pte. Ed. Briscoe and Pte. Edwin Smith. Then followed an excellent sermon by the Vicar from the words “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” At the conclusion of the sermon Miss V. Stubbs played the ‘Dead march,’ the congregation standing. The processional hymn was ‘For all the saints,’ and at the close the organist played ‘I knew that my Redeemer liveth.’ The service was of a very impressive character throughout.

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