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L.A. Bleaden
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| Age at death: |
20 |
| Born: |
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| Full name: |
Leslie Arthur Bleaden |
Service, Regiment,
Corps, etc: |
London Regiment |
| Unit, ship, etc: |
1/5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade) |
| Enlisted: |
September/October 1914 |
| Rank: |
Rifleman 690 |
| Decorations: |
|
| War (and theatre): |
WW1(F&F) |
| Date of death: |
1 July 1916 |
| Manner of death: |
KIA |
| Family details: |
Son of John and Elizabeth M Bleaden, 71 Northbrook Road, Ilford, Essex |
| Residence: |
71 Northbrook Road, Ilford |
| Home department: |
Board of Trade - Patent Office |
| Civilian rank: |
Abstractor |
Cemetery or
memorial: |
Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 9D) |
Additional information and photographs
Leslie Bleaden was one of the original 2nd Battalion of the London Rifle Brigade who enlisted in September or October 1914.
He was posted to the 1st Battalion but returned to the UK wounded
(gas) in May 1915. He was subsequently on recruiting duties in London
until rejoining the 1st Battalion in May 1916. He was one of many of his unit killed on 1 July that year - the first day of
the Battle of the Somme. His brother was killed seven days later serving with the Royal Fusiliers;
another brother served
in the Honourable Artillery Company.
Leslie Bleaden is mentioned four times in the modern history of the London Rifle Brigade, Gentlemen and Officers by K W
Mitchinson (published by Imperial War Museum, 1995 - see pp 59, 81, 123, 284). This publication also contains a full account
of the experience of the London Rifle Brigade on 1 July 1916 when, as part of 56th Division, it was ordered to attack at
Gommecourt, one of the strongest parts of the German line, in an effort to divert German artillery from British attacks further
south.
Leslie Bleaden is also commemorated on the Patent Office Memorial
1914-1918, which hangs in Concept House, Newport.
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