Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Leonard Puttock was born on 28th April 1884 in Betchworth, Surrey to agricultural labourer Edward and Mary Puttock (nee Errett).
Leonard’s father Edward was born in the 2nd quarter of 1852 in Shere, Surrey to blacksmith William and laundress Emma, born about 1831 in Henfold, Surrey. By 1861 Emma had become a widow. At the time of the 1871 Census, Edward was working as an agricultural labourer. His mother Mary was born about 1854 in Shere, to labourer John and Emma. Emma was baptised on 24th September 1954 in Shere. At this time the family lived at Sutton in Shere. Edward and Mary married on 15th December 1877 at the Holy Trinity Church in Westcott. Edward was working as a labourer and lived in Brockham. Mary was working as a domestic servant and lived in Westcott.
Leonard had nine siblings: Emma born about 1879; Mary Ann born and died in 1880; Edward Charles born about 1881; William born about 1883; Albert born in 1885; Mary born about 1888; Lucy born about 1891, all in Betchworth, Surrey. Alice born about 1893 and Alfred born about 1895, both in Buckland, Surrey.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Root Hill, Betchworth. Edward was working as a gardener and Mary was looking after their children Emma and Edward.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Juttons [sp], Root Hill, Betchworth. Edward was working as an agricultural labourer and Mary was looking after their children: Emma, Edward, William, Leonard, Mary and Lucy.
Leonard was admitted into the Buckland Church of England School on 2nd October 1891. He left the school to work as a gardener on 26th February 1897.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at “Petty’s Farm”, the Street, Buckland, Betchworth. Edward was working as an agricultural labourer and Mary was at home. Of their children; Emma was at home, Edward was working as an agricultural labourer, William was a carter on a farm, Leonard was a gardener, Mary was a housemaid and Lucy, Alice and Alfred were scholars. The family also had a boarder, agricultural labourer, Moses Dench.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 13 South Albert Road, Reigate. Edward was working as a farm labourer and Mary was at home. Of their children Emma was at home, Edward was working as a farm labourer, Leonard was a gardener, Alice was a domestic servant and Alfred was a milkman. The accommodation had five rooms. Three of the children, Mary Ann, Albert and William had died.
According to the 1912 and 1913 Surrey, England Electoral Registers, Edward rented to his son, Leonard, a furnished room in the first floor at 13 South Albert Road, Reigate. Leonard paid a rent of 10s per week.
Leonard Puttock enlisted in Reigate. He became a private of the 9th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, regimental number 2134. Leonard disembarked on the 31st of August 1915 to France.
On the 25th of April 1916 Leonard died of heart failure at the British Isolation Hospital in Bailleul, France near the Belgium borders.
He was buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extention Nord in France. His grave reference number is: II.D.161.His headstone bears inscription: “Thy Will Be Done”. The inscription was commissioned by Leonard’s father Edward.
Edward received £8, 10s and 8d on 24th August 1916 and £7 on 3rd September 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Leonard Puttock was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
| Born | Betchworth, Dorking | |
| Lived | Reigate, Surrey | |
| Son of | Edward and Mary Puttock of 13, South Albert Road, Reigate, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 9th Battalion. East Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | 2134 | |
| Date of Death | 23rd April 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Bailleul, France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Heart Failure | |
| Age | 33 | |
| Cemetery | Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France |
