Sgt 17286 Leonard Wilson Blackstone

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 16th November 1917
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Leonard Wilson Blackstone was born 1893 at Toxteth, Liverpool and was the son of Edward Wilson Blackstone and his wife Annie (nee Coussell). His parents married at Holy Trinity Church, Walton Breck Road in 1873. The Church is now in close proximity to the Anfield football stadium.

The 1901 census shows Leonard as aged 7 living with his parents and three sisters at 69 Coltart Road, Toxteth. His father, Edward, is aged 50 carpet salesman b.Hull, mother Ann 49, sisters Emily 25 millinery sales, Ida 24 at home, Edith 15 furnishing apprentice.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 10 Roxburgh Avenue Toxteth Park Liverpool. His father, Edward Wilson is aged 60, born in Hull in 1851 and is a salesman in a carpet shop. His mother Annie is aged 59, born 1852 born in Liverpool. They have been married for thirty seven years and have had six children of which one had died. At the time of the Census only Edith Nellie aged 30, born 1880 no occupation and Leonard Wilson aged 17, born 1894 a furniture shop assistant apprentice are living at home.

Leonard enlisted on 14^th September 1914 in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 17286, He gave his age as 21 years and five days and his occupation as salesman. He was five feet four and half inches tall, weighed 109lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair and gave his religion as Congregationalist. His NOK is father Edward 21 Russell Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

His service record survives and shows the following:

09.06.15: Appointed paid Lance Corporal.

26.02.16: To 30^th Division Gas School.

09.08.16: Appointed acting Corporal.

14.09.16: Granted Class 2 Proficiency pay.

20.09.16: Appointed acting Sergeant.

05.11.16: To Division Infantry School.

02.12.16: Granted Leave to UK.

18.12.16: Rejoined battalion.

18.01.17: Sick to Field Ambulance admitted with Tonsillitis.

25.01.17: Admitted to Field Ambulance with laryngitis.

27.01.17: Rejoined battalion.

28.01.17: To 30^th Division Gas School.

28.03.17: Appointed Sergeant.

18.09.17: Granted ten days leave to UK.

01.10.17: Rejoins battalion after leave.

12.10.17: Forfeits two days pay for being absent without leave form 06.30am 29^th September to 06.30am 30^th September 1917 and also reprimanded.

15.11.17: Missing in action.

16.11.17 Death presumed by Army Council

He was killed in action on the 16th November 1917, aged 24. However, there is some confusion over the date of Leonard's death as CWGC says he died 15th Nov 1917 as does his Pension record. However his service record says wounded to Field Ambulance on 15th Nov 1917 on one page, and wounded and missing on another. Thereafter it is recorded that his death was assumed to be 16th November 1917 by Army Council.

Both Soldiers Effects and SDGW have his death noted as 16th November 1917. 

His death was not reported in the Liverpool Echo until 26th September 1918 under the header:

A SMITHDOWN ROAD SERGEANT

Sergeant Leonard W. Blackstone, aged 24, previously reported as wounded and missing, is now officially presumed killed in France, November 15, 1917. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone of 21 Russell-road, Smithdown-road. He was educated at St. Margaret's Higher Grade School, Princes-road, and was in the choir of Toxteth Congregational Church. He was employed at the Pioneer Furnishing Stores, Bold Street. he joined the K.L.R. (Pals) in September 1914 and served over two years in France. He is mourned by his parents, three sisters, and a brother now serving in Egypt. 

Leonard's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Leonard was remebered on the first birthday following his death:

BLACKSTONE - In loving birthday remembrance of Sgt L.W. Blackstone (Len), reported missing, now presumed killed November 15th 1917. Never forgotten by Connie, 7 St Michael's Road, Aigburth.

Soldiers Effects to his father Edward and p Pension to his mother Annie.

Leonard was reported wounded in the Liverpool Daily Post on 17th December 1917, so it is highly probable that it wasn't until the New Year in 1918 that his parents were advised of his death.

Leonard is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 11 Left as Sgt S W Blackstone  

Toxteth Congregational Church.

We currently have no further information on Leonard Wilson Blackstone, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.