Name
Horace Leonard Bavington (DCM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/02/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
265306
Hertfordshire Regiment
No. 4 Coy. 1st Bn.
No. 4 Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
North East Extension Grave 573
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Asleep
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial, 4 Co' Hertfordshire Reg' Territorials’ Memorial, Hitchin, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, Town Hall Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Hitchin British Boys' School Memorial, Hitchin, St Faith's Church War Memorial, Walsworth, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
He was the second son of Wilfred (or William) and Harriet Bavington of 16a Mattocke Road, Hitchin and his home was at Anchor Cottages, Walsworth attended Hitchin British Boys' School. In the 1911 census he is shown aged 15 born Hitchin and living in Queen Street, Hitchin.
He enlisted in Hertfordshire Territorial Force aged 17 on 18/03/1913.
Wartime Service
His Regimental Number was 265306 and he was in No. 4 Company of the Hertfordshire Regiment and mobilised in August 1914. His fingers were injured in France but after convalescence he returned to France on the 5th July 1917.
On the 10th July 1917 he was seriously wounded in the head resulting in the loss of his left eye. The injury may have been caused during training as the Regimental History states that the Battalion was training at St. Omer during June and July 1917 rehearsing the forthcoming Battle of St. Julien. He was returned to England and was discharged from the forces at the end of 1917. His health did not improve and shortly before his death he had an operation on his wounds at Hertford Hospital.
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded to him for "Conspicuous gallantry in action. He led a bombing party with great gallantry and rendered valuable assistance in the consolidation of the position. He has at all times set a splendid example." This incident occurred on the Somme but the award itself was not made until after Christmas 1917. His mother was presented with his D.C.M. during an award ceremony in Bedford.
A Silver War Badge records (ancestry) show he was discharged on 9/10/1917 aged 21.
He is buried in Hitchin Cemetery in Grave NE 573. His Commonwealth War Graves Commission stone has the additional inscription "Asleep". He was buried with full military honours.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, Cilla Dyson David C Baines, Jonty Wild
