Leonard Percy Frank A'Court
Leonard A'Court was born on the 18th of August 1899 and lived in New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey. The son of Frank and Cecilia Mary A'Court he was baptised at St James Churh, Weybridge and lived at 10 Australian Cottages, New Haw. When he was conscripted, Leonard reported to Guildford Barracks and there he joined the 6th Battalion East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) as Private G/22012.
In May 1818, just 6 months before the end of the war, Leonard was sent to France. On 20th May Leonard's Battalion moved into the trenches at Mailley Wood, on the Somme, to relieve the 7th Battalion of the Royal Sussex regiment. This was Leonard's first time in the trenches. On 23rd May, after only 3 days at the front, Leonard was killed by shell fire. Leonard was 18 years old when he died. The battalion diary for the 23rd May states: "STAND TO" 3a.m. Socks changed. Night quiet. Fine. Apart from occasional shelling of front and support lines the day was quiet". It may seem strange that there is no mention of Leonard's death, or the death of William Brodie from Chatham who died with him. This is not unusual as it was mostly the death of Officers that were recorded in regimental diaries, other ranks are rarely mentioned. At least we know he had the chance to change his socks before he died.
Leonard is buried in the Mailley Wood Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Mailley-Maillet, 5 miles north of Albert on the Somme in France.
Leonard's Grave in Mailley Wood Cemetery