Leonard Augustus Girdlestone

A Seaman with H.M. Whaler Pilotwhale, Leonard died on 14th of May 1917 at the age of 19. 

Leonard was born at Lowestoft on 13 October 1897, a son of James and Laura Agnes Girdlestone. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 13 August 1902, and his family lived at 54 Saint Peter’s Street. For a time his family lived at Hull and Leonard attended Saint Paul's School. From 13 November 1903 he attended Saint John's School, Lowestoft, and his family lived at 12 Kimberley Road. By 1911 his father had died, his mother had married John Spencer, and the family lived at 13 Epsom Terrace, Kirkley Run. 

Leonard joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 19 December 1914. In August 1916 he was sent to the cells for 7 days for bring drunk, he also had leave stopped for 30 days and ‘grog’ stopped for 50 days. On 15 September 1916 he joined the Edinburgh Castle and on 31 January 1917 the Pilotwhale. 

Leonard disappeared, at Aberdeen Docks, on 14 May 1917. On 23 June his body was recovered, and he was buried at Saint Peter’s Churchyard, Carlton Colville, on 25 June. It was concluded that he had accidentally drowned. 

Leonard’s father had drowned at Milford Docks in 1902, and his brother Norris drowned at Hull Docks in 1924.