Pte 15903 Leonard Albert Dyall

• Age: 20
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 24th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.G.28

Leonard Albert was born in Birkenhead in the third quarter of 1895, the son of Albert Dyall and his wife Isabel Hannah (nee Maltman), who was Albert’s second wife. He already had four children to his first wife, Selina, who had died in 1866.

In 1901 the family are living at at 10 Reedville, Claughton, Birkenhead. Leonard is 5 years of age and lives with his parents and three siblings. His father, Albert, is a 59 year old, London-born railway carriage manager, whilst his mother, Isabel H. is 35 years of age. His step siblings are recorded as; Arthur William aged 20 and a book keeper, Beatrice aged 19 and a pupil teacher, and Florence aged 9. Florence and Leonard were both born to Isabel at 10 Reedville, Claughton, Birkenhead.

His mother died in the June quarter of 1905.

In 1911 the family have moved to at 60 Whitford Road, Birkenhead. His father, Albert, is now a widower and a printer’s bookkeeper and cashier, he lives with his daughter, Florence Mabel aged 19, described as a housekeeper, and Leonard Albert, a 15 year old accountancy clerk.

Leonard attested at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31^st August 1914, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15903. He gave his age as 19 years and was described as being 5' 8 and a half inches tall, weighed 150lbs with a 35 and a half inch chest. He had a dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair and stated that his religion was Church of England.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he 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.

Leonard was killed in action on 24^th January 1916. 

He was originally buried at Maricourt Military Cemetery but after the was when graves were concentrated his body was exhumed and reburied at at Cerisy- Gailly Cemetery, France. He now rests at Grave II G 28.

Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918. Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery (originally called the New French Military Cemetery) was begun in February 1917 and used by medical units until March 1918. After the recapture of the village it was used by Australian units. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme and a number of small cemeteries including:- MARICOURT MILITARY CEMETERY which was at the South-East corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July, 1916. It contained the graves of 887 French soldiers, 260 from the United Kingdom and six German.  The cemetery now contains 745 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 114 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Details of his death are covered in the report in the Birkenhead News on 12th February 1916

"He Died Gloriously."

Captain's Tribute to Birkenhead "Pal"

The death has occurred in France, and has been officially confirmed of Private Leonard A. Dyall of the 17th Service Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment "Pals". He was the son of Albert Dyall of Birkenhead and the nephew of the late Mr. Charles Dyall, for many years curator of the Liverpool Walker Art Gallery. He was aged 20, and joined the Army in August 1914. Previous to the war he held a position in the firm of Messrs. Davidson, Cookson and Co., Castle Street, Liverpool. In private life he was exceedingly popular, being of a versatile on cheery disposition, and from letters received from officers of the "Pals", he appears to have been much esteemed by his comrades. A letter from his Captain explaining that on January 24th Private Dyall was shot in the temple, states that he was holding with others a dangerous "listening position" in an exposed position of our lines. After being hit he only lived in an unconscious state for an hour. The letter goes on to say: "He was buried the next day with the flag he died for over his body. He died gloriously, doing his duty in very difficult circumstances. He was greatly loved and esteemed among his comrades, always having being so willing, bright and cheerful. His loss has been greatly felt amongst us, and we feel by his death the Army has lost an exceedingly fine man, and the strong arm."

Also in the Liverpool Echo on 17^th February 1916 which stated:

“The death is announced of Private Leonard A. Dyall of the 1^st Pals, which occurred in France. He was the son of Albert Dyall of Birkenhead and was 20 years of age. He joined the Pals in August 1914. A letter from his captain explains that “he was shot in the temple; at the time he was holding with others a dangerous ‘listening post’ in an exposed part of our line. After being hit he only lived in an unconscious state for one hour. He was greatly loved and esteemed among us, always having been so willing, bright and cheerful. His loss will be greatly felt amongst his comrades and we feel that by his death the Army has lost an exceedingly fine man and a strong arm”.. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his father Albert. His effects were listed as; 1 disc, 1 card case, 1 metal cigarette case, 1 leather purse, 1 watch (broken) 1 strap, 1 pack of letters, 6 photos, 1 pocket wallet and 1 key. 

His 3 medals, plaque and memorial scroll were all sent to his father. 

Strangely, in his sworn declaration as to Leonard’s immediate family in 1919, his father Albert declared that his son, Arthur William, born in 1881, had “left home and his address is unknown”. The records show that Arthur William Dyall died in 1905 in Birkenhead, his father apparently being unaware.  He also says he has had nothing to do with two of his daughters, Gertrude and Beatrice, since they left home in 1900. Again the records suggest that Gertrude married in 1900, while Beatrice, a teacher, died unmarried in 1971.

Leonard is commemorated on the Men of Birkenhead Memorial in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. 

His father died in 1927, aged 86.

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