WARREN, Leonard Charles


No.35898, Private, Leonard Charles WARREN
Aged 23


32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
Killed in Action on Friday, 6th October 1916


Leonard Charles Warren was born in Baythorne End, Birdbrook (Risbridge Q4-1893 4A:680), son of Alfred Thomas and Julia WARREN (née WOODLEY).

1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Charwell Cottages,Birdbrook with his father Thomas WARREN [38] builder's horsekeeper; his mother Julie [33] born Ashen or Ashdon?; sister Maud mary [12]; brothers Alfred Thomas [10], Frederick [3] and Harold [1 month]. All except his mother were born in Birdbrook.

1911 census...Aged 17, horse man, he was in Baythorne End with his parents; brothers Alfred (horse man); Frederick [errand boy] Harold and Cecil [5] born Birdbrook.

His brother Alfred enlisted in 1916 in Army Service Corps as a Driver and survived the war.


He enlisted in Haverhill.
The battalion had just relieved the 11th Royal West Surrey and set up HQ at FGactory Corner, a position that was once German HQ and they were amazed at the comforts found, 4 poster bed,velvet curtains. They had 14 Officers and 393 men
The position was constantly shelled and on 6th the war diary says:-
GIRD Support and advances trenches..1916 Oct 6th..11.30 pm.. Enemy artillery very active during entire day. Disposition D, A and B Coys in strong point line, C Coy in support. BHQ moved to front line and scooped out temporary shelter. Whole battalion worked all night in digging new trench which should have been dug the previous night but R.Es lost way. Practically completed at daybreak.


CWGC found the memorial plot for ten men ( 4 from 32nd Fusiliers) at 57c.N.19.a.9.9. as shown but there were no bodies, hence their names on the Thiepval memorial
CWG records have 4 of the battalion killed on 6th only Leonard has no known grave.


photo courtesy of gt/gt/nephew Stephen Collis






His memorial stall in Birdbrook church




Leonard Warren is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, pier and face 8C/9A/16A

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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