KevinMurrell: Created page with " === Private Leonard Brooksbank aged 27 === Leonard Brooksbank was born in September 1889 in Ovenden and lived with his widowed mother Grace. By 1901 they had moved to Illingworth along with two Mitchell children (his half brother and sister) including Willie who gave his life in April 1917. In 1911 they were at 1 Bank Bottom (now called Spring Bank, High Street). Aged 21 he was, like Edith and Willie, a Blanket weaver. He joined the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding)..."

2026-09-06T07:15:15Z

Created page with " === Private Leonard Brooksbank aged 27 === Leonard Brooksbank was born in September 1889 in Ovenden and lived with his widowed mother Grace. By 1901 they had moved to Illingworth along with two Mitchell children (his half brother and sister) including Willie who gave his life in April 1917. In 1911 they were at 1 Bank Bottom (now called Spring Bank, High Street). Aged 21 he was, like Edith and Willie, a Blanket weaver. He joined the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding)..."

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=== Private Leonard Brooksbank aged 27 ===
Leonard Brooksbank was born in September 1889 in Ovenden and lived with his widowed mother Grace. By 1901 they had moved to Illingworth along with two Mitchell children (his half brother and sister) including Willie who gave his life in April 1917. In 1911 they were at 1 Bank Bottom (now called Spring Bank, High Street). Aged 21 he was, like Edith and Willie, a Blanket weaver. He joined the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment and went to France in April 1915. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial in France and also in St Mary’s Churchyard, where his mother is buried. She died aged 63, two weeks later on 8th December. She had been living at Spring Bank. The War Diaries of the 2/4 DoW Regiment say the following: “''The Division moved on 25 th November to relieve the 40 th Division in the line. The 186 th Brigade who had been “standing by” for 24 hours, marched off from Bertincourt about 1pm. The Battalion moved off from billets at 1.45pm and marched via Hermes ... to the Canal. Teas were served before crossing the Canal and the Field Kitchens sent back. Captain Fletcher who had gone on to receive instructions met the Battalion …. and by him the battalion was guided, moving west of Graincourt to Anneux Chapel .... This was about 8pm. Owing to intermittent shelling the Battalion was well deployed in Artillery formation, but even so, did not escape a few casualties, owing to the unfortunate delay that took place''.”

Private Leonard Brooksbank aged 27 - Revision history