Name
Leonard Le Rossignol
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
3021
London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
1st/16th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bushey memorials
Pre War
Born in 1883 in West Holloway, London, Leonard Frank Le Rossignol (meaning nightingale) was the son of Francis and Pauline Emily (nee Harper) Le Rossignol. His parents were married in 1881, recorded in the St Pancras registration district and had three children, one of whom died in infancy.
At the 1891 Census, the Francis was aged 4 and living in Rydens Road, Walton, Surrey with his parents and his 2-year-old sister, Pauline May. Francis and Pauline (Snr.) were both aged 45 and Francis was working as an architect and surveyor. The birthplaces are given as St Helier in Jersey for Francis, St Pancras for Pauline (Snr.) and West Holloway for Leonard Frank and Pauline May. Also present was one visitor and three servants.
Francis died in 1990 and, at the 1901 Census, Pauline (Snr.) was living in the village of Lurgashall, Sussex, with Leonard and Pauline.
At the 1911 Census, they had moved to 3 Springfield Road. Leonard is working as an Insurance Clerk and Pauline as a Civil Servant. Also present was a domestic servant.
The Register of Electors for 1913 records Leonard as a lodger with a Bedroom, First Floor, Furnished, at 36 Springfield Road for the cost of 15s per week including partial board, with her mother named as the Landlord at the same address.
Wartime Service
Leonard served as Rifleman 3021 with the 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queens Westminster Rifles) of the London Regiment. He was killed in action and presumed dead, aged 29, on or since 1 July 1916, the first day of the Somme. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
The Register of Soldier’s Effects lists Leonard as Private 550757 with the 1/16th Battalion of the London Regiment and gives his mother Pauline E as the sole grantee.
Leonard’s sister Pauline married Frank Pattison in Holy Trinity Church, Northwood on 8 August 1917 and his mother moved to Pendower, Oxhey Drive, Northwood after his death to be near her.
The National Probate Calendar for 1918 includes the following entry: LE ROSSIGNOL Leonard Francis of St Govans Murray-road Northwood Middlesex private 1/16th London regiment died 1 July 1916 in France Administration London 23 April to Pauline Emily Le Rossignol widow. Effects £1948 5s. 5d.
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
