LEONARD WALKDEN 

River Weaver Navigation Minutes, Volume 22 page 105 – named in the Engineers, (J..A. Saner) Annual report of the 23rd Nov. 1917 saying that he had been killed.

C.W.G.C. remember an L. Walkden at the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourge-L’Avoue, France. Cpl with the 81st Field Coy., Royal Engineers, Service No 44544, Died on the 11th Nov. 1915 aged 19. Son of Mr. F. & Mrs M. A. Walkden, of 1 Wellington St., Northwich, Cheshire.

Leonard Walkden is remembered on the Holy Trinity Church Castle, Northwich Memorial, Northwich Memorial, the St. Helens Church Memorial

 
Freebmd records the birth of a Leonard Walkden in Prestwich in 1896, the only Leonard Walkden birth to meet the age of 19 when he was killed in 1915.

Northwich Guardian Article 19th November 1915. KILLED BY A SNIPER, ANOTHER CASTLE HERO.

News was received at Northwich on Tuesday that Sapper Leonard Walkden, of the Royal Engineers, has died from bullet wounds caused by a German sniper. Sapper Walkden’s parents live at No1 Wellington Street and Leonard was their only boy. A representative of the Guardian called at the home of the bereaved parents on Tuesday afternoon but Mrs Walkden was so grief stricken that she could not give any information beyond the fact that she had that morning received a letter from the lieutenant of her son’s company stating that he was killed on Thursday the 11th inst., having been shot by a sniper, Walkden was only 20 years of age.

MAJOR’S SYMPATHY.

Mr. and Mrs Walkden received on Wednesday morning a letter from the Major of the Company to which their late son was attached. He referred to him as an excellent soldier and expressed sincere sympathy with the parents in having lost such a promising son.

Northwich Guardian Article 26th November 1915.
A CASTLE HERO KILLED WHILE WORKING IN THE TRENCHES. BRAVE ACT TO PROTECT HIS COMRADES.

Further particulars are to hand as to how Corporal Leonard Walkden of the Royal Engineers, only son of Mr. Mrs W. Walkden of 1 Wellington Street, met his death on the 4th inst. He was in the act of erecting a screen of camouflage to protect his comrades, when a sniper’s bullet struck him in the head and killed him instantly. Lieutenant John Ireland, R.E. writing to Mrs Walkden, states:- “I very deeply regret having to inform you that your son was struck by a bullet yesterday. It entered his head and he died almost instantaneously. He was killed while working in the front trenches. A screen of sandbags had to be erected to give security to the men working in the vicinity. Corporal Walkden had voluntarily taken upon himself to place the bags for the screen and in doing so unconsciously exposed himself.”

“His loss will be much regretted, both by his officers and his men of his section, as he was a general favourite and a very good worker. We buried him this morning in a cemetery near ……., and the section are going to put up a suitable cross with an inscription as soon as possible. I must offer you my sincere sympathy in your bereavement. Your son died a hero’s death. He has now gone to a better and happier home, where the King of Kings and Prince of Princes reign and rewards those who love and serve him here below.”

SYMPATHY OF THE DECEASED’S SERGEANT.

The sergeant of the section to which the late Corporal Walkden belonged, in a letter to Mr. and Mrs Walkden writes:- “It is very painful duty for me to have to write you in such a strain but I feel I must do it, as I knew your dear son as well, ever since our first day in Chatham. It is very hard for one so young to be cut off in the act of doing his duty for the comfort of the poor chaps who have to stay in the front line always. Leonard was a favourite with the men in the section and the company. Every one liked him, he had such a fine personality and manner and was one who would be trusted. He was brilliant on the day that the sniper’s bullet got him. He seemed to be inspired on that day and nothing could daunt him.”

ANOTHER COMRADE’S TRIBUTE.

Mr and Mrs Walkden have also received a letter from Lance Corporal J. Naylor of the same regiment in which he writes:- “I was an intimate friend of your son, “Len” and I can assure you that you can feel proud of him, for he died doing his duty for his fellow-beings and his country. He was one of the most highly-respected N.C.O’s. In the company and was well liked all round. When he met his fate, he was working very hard to alleviate the sufferings of his comrades. He has been buried in a British Cemetery and we are going to erect a cross over his grave to mark the spot of a true British solider.”

CHORISTER AT CASTLE CHURCH

Leonard was well known and much respected in the neighbourhood of his home at Castle. He took an active interest in Holy Trinity Church and for some years had been a member of the choir.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service was held in Castle Church on Wednesday evening. There was a large attendance. As Corporal Walkden was a member of the choir his fellow-members were all there to testify their respect to him. The special hymns were “O God of Love, O King of Peace.” “Safe home safe home in port,” “On the resurrection morning,” “For all the saints,” and “Holy Father in Thy Mercy,” The Dead March was played by the organist, Mr. Gray, at the conclusion of the service.

Research Bob Heaton