LEONARD WALTER ERNEST BALDRY
Leonard is not remembered on the war memorial at Christchurch Park.
Born: 1896, Ipswich.
Died: 26th September 1917; age: 20; KiA.
Residence: 36, Haylings Road, Leiston cum Sizewell, Suffolk.
Occupation: a Postman – Post Office.
Enlistment Location: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 241772.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Formerly 5320, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 40 to 41 & 162 to 162a.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
CENSUS
1901 55, Purplett Street, Ipswich.
Leonard was 4 years old and living with his parents & sister.
Walter Othniel Baldry, 29, an Iron Foundry Labourer, born Kensington, London.
Rachel Ellen Burrows Baldry (nee Ransby), 28, born Ipswich.
Gladys Adelaide Baldry, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 55, Canterbury Road, Colchester, Essex.
Leonard was 14 years old, a Telegraph Messenger. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Walter, 39, an Insurance Agent.
Rachel, 38.
Gladys, 11.
Cecil Frederick Baldry, 9, born Ipswich.
Harold Evan Baldry, 5, born Ipswich.
Ruby Lilian Baldry, 3, born Colchester.
Leonard was appointed a Postman at Felixstowe, Suffolk – July 1915.
Soldiers’ Effects to Rachel E. Baldry – mother.
Leonard is remembered on the war memorial at Leiston cum Sizewell, Suffolk.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion
The Battle of Polygon Wood took place during the second phase of the Third Battle of Ypres in World War I and was fought near Ypres in Belgium 26 September – 3 October 1917, in the area from the Menin Road to Polygon Wood and thence north, to the area beyond St Julien. Much of the woodland had been destroyed by the huge quantity of shellfire from both sides since 16 July, and the area had changed hands several times
The British had 15,375 casualties; 1,215 were killed. German official historians recorded 13,500 casualties from 21–30 September
The 4th Australian Division suffered 1,717 casualties, and the 5th Australian Division had 5,471 dead and wounded from 26–28 September.
26th September 1917
In the area of Bellegoed farm near Reningheltst, the 4th Battalion, taking up positions in the support trenches under heavy shelling from the 23rd to 25th September, waited as the Germans attacked the frontline trenches, gaining a foothold, repelling counterattacks from the British. On the afternoon of the 25th, the 2nd Argyll and Sunderland Highlanders and “B” company 4th Suffolk’s under intense shell fire recaptured the frontline battered trench, sustaining many casualties.
Just after midnight, the Battalion took up an attacking line between Glencorse wood and FitzClarence farm, collecting “B” company. The moon had gone into the clouds, and the shelling increased with mist rising; the visibility became worse, with the troops unable to get to their positions in time for the attack. By 05:45, the order for advance given, men were ordered to link hands so not to get separated in the darkness. The advance came under a heavy barrage; despite the poor terrain, the attack made some progress, capturing two machine guns and 15 prisoners and all of the planned objectives were taken by the division. By the evening of the 27th, the Battalion had returned to Bellegoed farm, having sustained 265 casualties.
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
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