Leonard Bailey, Age 25
Private, 15440, 6th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.
Leonard had been born at Dawley Bank and lived at Stony Fold, Dawley Bank when
he enlisted, before which he had worked at the Stafford pit.
He was serving with his regiment on the Somme when he was wounded in action on
the 17th September 1916; he died at a casualty clearing station the following day Sept
18th just behind the front lines.
The KSLI had, had 66 wounded in the three days; on the 16th Sept they were in
reserve trenches at Waterlot Farm near Deville Wood at 4:45am before moving to the
front line at Les Boeufs at 9pm suffering 3 wounded during this move. The following
day (17th) their trenches were attacked several times by the German infantry and the
KSLI suffered a further 42 wounded.
Leonard's family received a letter revealing the sad news "I have the sad duty to tell
you that Pte L Bailey died of a bullet wound to the head he received on the 17th
September. He was holding a bombing post in a most advanced position in the newly
won trenches and the Germans were attempting to regain their lost ground and had
been repelled with great loss. Although the NCO of the bombing post had been killed
the little section of bombers stuck to their post and inflicted great casualties on the
Germans. Cpl Edwards speaks highly of him (Len)."
On the 18th the day of Leonard's death the KSLI were relieved by the 6th Ox &Bucks
Light Infantry at 7:30pm in the evening on a wet miserably day, the casualties on that
date amounted to another 21 wounded.
Leonard lies buried at Bronfay Farm Cemetery in Grave reference LA.15
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British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
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