Newcastle Journal Wednesday 6th September 1916
Newcastle Journal Tuesday 15th August 1916
Newcastle Journal Saturday 10th April 1915
Newcastle Journal Thursday 9th September 1915
Joseph Marlow Lennard was born on the 2nd November 1893, at South Shields, the son of Joseph Henry Lennard, of 172 Rawling Road, Gateshead, Durham, (who was a police sergeant in the North Eastern Railway Police Force), stationed at Gateshead, and his wife Hannah, daughter of William Marlow, of Whitby.
Joseph was educated at Kelvin Grove School at Gateshead, and was employed as a Clerk in a Provision Importer's Office.
He enlisted on the 5th September 1914, and trained at Alnwick and Catterick Bridge and Codford Camp, Salisbury. The 16th Battalion entrained for Alnwick on the 8th December 1914. He served in France and Flanders from the 20th November 1915. Dis-embarked at Boulogne on the 22nd.
[The plan of attack for the 16th Battalion was for 'A' and 'B' Companies to lead it. Battalion HQ at Gemmel Street, 'A' Company took over the line from Skinner Street to Hamilton Avenue, 'B' Company took over the line from Hamilton Avenue to Maison Gris Sap. 'C' Company were in support in the communication trenches, two platoons in Hamilton Avenue, and two platoons in Gourock Street. 'D' Company were in reserve in the second line Gemmel Trench].
He was killed in action on the 1st July, when he was one of the first of his battalion to go over the parapet.
His Major [R. Temperley] wrote:- Your son was one of the brave lads who took part in the preliminary stage of the great advance, and he fell bravely and nobly facing the foe. His comrades wrote saying:- that he was always cheerful when in the trenches, and his jovial conduct used to cheer them up many a time when they were inclined to be sad.
He was unmarried.
He is remembered at Bensham on B134.02, at Gateshead in G39.004 page 28 and Newcastle in NUT068 page 140, 166 and 176
16th Battalion New War Memorial in Authuille
Northumberland Fusilier Battalions
The CWGC entry for Private Lennard
