Pte 16050 Leonard Charles Brownlie

• Age: 23
• From: Heswall, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• Died Friday 14th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.H.6

Leonard Charles was the second of two sons born to John Wallace Brownlie and his wife Hannah (née Clark) on the 20th April 1892 in Gayton, Cheshire. His parents married on 24th July 1887 at St Mary’s Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool. John was a 28 year old publican of 25 Martensen Street, his father James deceased, whilst Hannah was aged 22 of Lissant Street,her father, John, was a grocer. They had 3 sons Gordon James who died, aged 10, in 1899, John Nason born 1890 and Leonard Charles who was born 1892 in Gayton, Wirral. He was baptised on the 25th June 1892 at Heswall Methodist Church, his parents address the Clegg’s Arms, Gayton. 

His father, died, aged 33, in 1899.

In 1901 Leonard lived at Dee View Road, Heswall with his 33 year old widowed mother, a boarding house keeper, and his brother, John, who was 2 years older. Also present are a servant and a boarder.

In 1905 his mother remarried at West Derby, Liverpool, to Arthur Lavender Richardson, a butcher, and according to CWGC they were living at 26 Burwen Drive, Orrell Park, Liverpool in about 1920.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 38 Hertford Road, Bootle. Leonard Charles and his brother John, incorrectly listed as Brountie, are residing with their mother and her husband Arthur L Richardson. Leonard, is aged 19, and is an insurance clerk whilst John is 21 and a solicitor's clerk. Their step father, Arthur's two children are from his porevious marriage are listed as; Arthur Richardson aged 25 and a butcher's assistant and Maud Richardson aged 23 and a clerk in a butcher's shop. Leonard's half siblings are also present and listed as; Drusilla, aged 4 and Fred aged 2. 

Prior to the outbreak of the war Leonard was employed as a cashier for City of Glasgow Life Assurance Company, having commenced employment in 1909.

Leonard enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion as Private 16050. He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory, trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915 and earned his three medals.   

Graham Maddocks shows Leonard as having died on 04^th January 1916 but CWGC and SDGW show his date of death as 14^th January. The battalion diary for 14th January 1916 records:

2am 14.01.16 - No.16050 Pte Brownlee L.C. (D Coy), No.15563 Pte Roberts Rees (C Coy), & No. 24934 Pte Harvey C.E. (D Coy) accidentally killed by premature explosion of rifle grenade.  

 A newspaper report records the details of the above incident from the battalion diary:

"Leonard C Brownlie of the 1st City Batt. King's Liverpool Regiment was killed in action in France on January 14th, by the accidental explosion of a bomb which was being prepared for discharge at the enemy. Two of his comrades shared a similar fate and it took nine hours to convey the bodies from the spot where the accident happened to the Battalion's headquarters three quarters of a mile in the rear. Pte Brownlie was formerly in business in Liverpool and resided with his mother, Mrs Richardson at 24 Cambridge Road, Bootle".  

Leonard’s death was recorded in the Liverpool Echo on the 15th January 1917:

Roll of Honour – BROWNLIE – In loving memory of Leonard (Len) Brownlie Kings Liverpool Regiment, killed in action January 14 1916 – Ever remembered by all at home. 

BROWNLIE – In loving memory of Leonard Chas Brownlie Kings Liverpool Regiment killed in action January 13 1916 (Fondly remembered by May)

Leonard was 25 years of age when he died and he now rests at Cerisy- Gailly Military Cemetery in France. 

Soldiers Effects to mother Hannah, Pension to mother Hannah Richardson and child John Nason Brownlie

John Nason Brownlie, his elder brother who served as Pte #3207 1/10 KLR (Scottish), received Silver War Badge (d.1952)

He earned his three medals.  

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £1 15s 11d and a War Gratuity of £5 10s went to mother Hannah, Pension to mother Hannah Richardson and impaired son John Nason Brownlie 

He is commemorated on the following memorials:

Bootle Civic Memorial

Christ Church C. of E. School Memorial.

We currently have no further information on Leonard Charles Brownlie, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.