Pte
Alfred Harold Leonard
Informatie over geboorte
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Geboortedatum: 03/09/1896 |
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Geboorteplaats: Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
Algemene Informatie
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Beroep: Timmerman |
Informatie legerdienst
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Land: Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Strijdmacht: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rang: Private |
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Service nummer: 23335 |
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Dienstneming plaats: Ampthill, Bedfordshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Eenheden: — Bedfordshire Regiment, 4th Bn. (Laatst gekende eenheid) |
Informatie over overlijden
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Datum van overlijden: 30/10/1917 |
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Plaats van overlijden: Bray Farm - Haus Kirchner, België |
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Doodsoorzaak: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Leeftijd: 21 |
Gedenkplaats
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Tyne Cot Memorial Paneel: 48-50 |
Onderscheidingen en medailles 2
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British War Medal Medaille |
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Victory Medal Medaille |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Geboorteplaats | ||
| #2 | Dienstneming plaats | ||
| #3 | Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering) |
Mijn verhaal
Alfred Leonard Harold, known as Tom, was born in Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire in 1896. During the Battle of Passchendaele, Tom served in the Bedfordshire Regiment, 4th Battalion, part of the 190th Brigade of the 63rd Division, together with his uncle Frederick bonfield, who was married to a sister of Tom’s mother.
In October 1917 Tom’s Battalion took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. On 30 October the 63rd Division attacked from the Padebeek valley towards the heights of Westrozebeke. The 190th Brigade advanced with the 4th Bedfordshires in the centre of the divisional front, going towards Bray Farm, Banff House and Sourd Farm. The 7th Royal Fusiliers were on the left and the Artists Rifles on the right. The Canadian Corps was on the right of the Artists Rifles. The latter’s attack in the direction of Passchendaele was successful, reaching the outskirts of the village. The attack of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division however encountered more difficulties.
The conditions on the battlefield were terrible, especially around the Paddebeek stream. The ground was sodden and in some places little more than a marsh, slowing down the advance. The advancing troops were often knee-deep in mud. Making them easy targets for the machine-gun and sniper fire from the men of the German 111th Infanterie-Division on the opposing side. While the men of the 63rd Division were struggling in the mud, the Germans dropped a counter-barrage 100 yards behind the British barrage, causing severe casualties.
That night the 63rd Division held a line at Source Trench-Varlet Farm-Bray Farm-Berks Houses, only 150-200 yards from their jump-off line. Casualties were numerous. The 4th Bedfordshires lost two officers in the attack. Seven officers were wounded. Fifty-two men were killed, 150 men were wounded and 23 men went missing.
Both Tom, aged 21, and his Uncle Frederick, 40, were killed on 30 October 1917 during the attack on Bray Farm. While Frederick lies buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Tom has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
In October 1917 Tom’s Battalion took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. On 30 October the 63rd Division attacked from the Padebeek valley towards the heights of Westrozebeke. The 190th Brigade advanced with the 4th Bedfordshires in the centre of the divisional front, going towards Bray Farm, Banff House and Sourd Farm. The 7th Royal Fusiliers were on the left and the Artists Rifles on the right. The Canadian Corps was on the right of the Artists Rifles. The latter’s attack in the direction of Passchendaele was successful, reaching the outskirts of the village. The attack of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division however encountered more difficulties.
The conditions on the battlefield were terrible, especially around the Paddebeek stream. The ground was sodden and in some places little more than a marsh, slowing down the advance. The advancing troops were often knee-deep in mud. Making them easy targets for the machine-gun and sniper fire from the men of the German 111th Infanterie-Division on the opposing side. While the men of the 63rd Division were struggling in the mud, the Germans dropped a counter-barrage 100 yards behind the British barrage, causing severe casualties.
That night the 63rd Division held a line at Source Trench-Varlet Farm-Bray Farm-Berks Houses, only 150-200 yards from their jump-off line. Casualties were numerous. The 4th Bedfordshires lost two officers in the attack. Seven officers were wounded. Fifty-two men were killed, 150 men were wounded and 23 men went missing.
Both Tom, aged 21, and his Uncle Frederick, 40, were killed on 30 October 1917 during the attack on Bray Farm. While Frederick lies buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Tom has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Connectie's met andere militairen 1
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Frederick Bonfield
Uncle |
Bronnen 6
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Ancestry https://ancestry.co.uk Gebruikte bronnen |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/835753/leonard,-alfred-h./ Gebruikte bronnen |
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Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/63rd-royal-naval-division/ Gebruikte bronnen |
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Maurice, F., "The 16th Foot: A History of The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment", London, Constable & Company ltd, 1931, pg. 187-188. Gebruikte bronnen |
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McCarthy C., "The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", London, Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018, pg. 154-155. Gebruikte bronnen |
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War Diary http://www.nmarchive.com/ Gebruikte bronnen |