| Date |
Information |
|
| 30/07/2021 |
The 1911 census records that James no longer lived with the family in Brackaville, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. His father was a stone mason. The rest of the family worked in the mill. |
| 30/07/2021 |
 |
| 30/07/2021 |
Last Will and Testament of Sapper James Joseph Leonard dated 22nd July 1915: |
| 30/07/2021 |
 |
| 30/07/2021 |
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Sarah Ann Leonard, of Brackaville, Coalisland, County Tyrone Ireland. Sapper James Joseph Leonard. 36704 Royal Engineers. |
| 30/07/2021 |
In his will, James left all to his mother, Sarah Ann Leonard, who was living at Brackaville, Coalisland. |
| 30/07/2021 |
James Joseph Leonard was a son of James and Sarah Ann Leonard, nee Quinn. |
| 30/07/2021 |
James Leonard was born on 23rd September 1884 in Brackaville, Coalisland. He was one of at least nine children. |
| 30/07/2021 |
The 1901 census shows 15 year old James to be working as a mill worker. He was living with the family at Brackaville, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. His father was a brick layer. |
| 30/07/2021 |
The CWGC record Sapper James Joseph Leonard as the son of James and Sarah A Leonard of Brackaville, Coalisland, County Tyrone. |
| 30/07/2021 |
James Leonard enlisted in Tuam, County Galway, where he was working. |
| 30/07/2021 |
Sapper James Joseph Leonard arrived in France with Royal Engineers on 29th September 1915. |
| 30/07/2021 |
Sapper James Joseph Leonard was serving with the 157th Field Company of the Royal Engineers when he died in France on 12th October 1918. |
| 30/07/2021 |
Sapper Leonard was killed at the Heute Deűle Canal along with Sapper Henry Dunnington (Service No 139880), one month before the end of the war. |
| 30/07/2021 |
The war diary shows that in October 1918 the Company were based in Auchy constructing pontoons for crossing the Heute Deűle Canal and attempting to stop a leak or a 'cut' in the canal bank. The diary for 13 October records: ‘No. 3 (Section) in canal cut. Sappers Leonard and Dunnington killed and the stopping of the leak was not successful.’ |
| 30/07/2021 |
Sapper James Joseph Leonard is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery in France. |
| 30/07/2021 |
His inscription reads: NO KING OR SAINT HAD TOMB SO PROUD AS HE WHOSE FLAG BECOMES HIS SHROUD. The quote comes from the Irish poet Thomas Osborne Davis’ poem ‘Nationality’. |
| 30/07/2021 |
Sapper James Joseph Leonard is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial. |
| 30/07/2021 |
Known family: James Leonard, Sarah Ann Leonard, John Leonard (born about 1881), Lizzie Leonard (born about 1883), James Joseph Leonard (born 23rd September 1884), Patrick Leonard (born about 1888), Elizabeth Leonard (born about 1889), Agnes Leonard (born 27th December 1889), Annie Leonard (born about 1891), Dannie Leonard (born about 1893), Francis Leonard (born 20th May 1897). |
| 30/05/2020 |
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