THE short life of Harlow resident, Leonard Weald who died in WW1.

This piece was read out by Harlow park run organiser, Tracey Cook.

Never forget.

Leonard’s parents were Joseph Weald, born in Harlow in c.1845 and Eliza Ann Perry, born in Bishop’s Stortford in c.1850. They married in Lambeth in 18781 and Leonard Joseph Weald was born in Harlow in 18842.

The 1891 census recorded Leonard residing in Dock Yard, Harlow with his parents and siblings Catherine and Alfred. Joseph was working as a plumber. The 1901 census shows Leonard as a visitor to the home of Robert William Steward, a butcher and his family at 197 Wivenhoe Road, Croydon. Leonard was working as a butcher’s assistant. Leonard’s parents were residing in Bury Road, Harlow where Joseph was working as a plumber. The 1911 census shows Leonard boarding at 301 Whitehorse Road, Croydon aged twenty-six where he was working as a butcher. Leonard’s parents Joseph and Eliza were still residing in Bury Road, Harlow where Joseph was now working as a house painter.

Leonard married Eliza Jane Pooley in Edmonton in 19153 and lived at 14 Gisland Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey. Eliza died in 19794 aged 95.

Private Leonard Joseph Weald, 201094, enlisted on 17 August 1916 in Kingston Upon Thames and served in the 1st/5th Battalions of The Durham Light Infantry. Following heavy fighting the battalion returned to the trenches on 17 June 1917. In the early hours of the 26 June 1917 they went over the top and took a section of the German front line. Leonard was one of the men from the battalion who was killed on that night, aged 32. He is commemorated on The Arras Memorial to the Missing, France. Bay 8. Register Index Number MR20.