Name
Leonard Sells
1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/02/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43231
Northamptonshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 11 A and 11 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Memorial, Hemel Hempstead,
John Dickinson & Co Memorial, Apsley Mills, Apsley
Pre War
Leonard Sells was born in 1889 in Hemel Hempstead, the son of Henry and Ann Sells and baptised at St Paul's Church, Hemel Hempstead on 17 March 1889. He was one of six children, but one died in infancy.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at 14 Union Street, Hemel Hempstead where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. They remained there on the 1901 Census.
Leonard worked as a 'Paper Puncher' at John Dickinson & Co. (Paper Manufacturer), at Apsley Mills prior to enlistment.
His parents gave their address as 9 New Buildings, Chapel Street, Hemel Hempstead on pension records.
Wartime Service
Leonard enlisted in Hemel Hempstead in February 1916 and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, (Reg. No. 26179), joining the 8th (Service) Battalion for training at Woking. He was sent to France some months later and saw action in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette before he was transferred to the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. He then fought in the Battles of Transloy and Ancre Heights followed by the the Battle of Ancre.
According to the Register of Soldiers' Effects, it was officially accepted that he was killed in action on 17 February 1917 at Boom Ravine. The 6th Battalion were near Miraumont and took part in a planned attack which was successful, but they suffered heavy casualties.
He has no known grave and is one of 60 men from the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment who died on 17 February who are named on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £3 10s and pay owing of £4 5s 2d. Although pension records exist, there is no indication of the amount of pension paid.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.hemelheroes.com., www.dacorumheritage.org.uk.
