Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Leonard Thompstone was born in Manchester in 1897, to parents Joseph and Annie (nee Newnes).  His father was a handicraft (woodwork) teacher.  In 1911, Leonard aged 13, was living in Crumpsall, Manchester with his parents and siblings Sydney (15), a grocer’s apprentice and Harold (10).

 Corporal Leonard Thompstone passed through Peterborough East Station on 13 July 1916.  He was with his comrade, Sergeant Herbert Potts, they were both serving with the 2/4^th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders and he referred to them in the visitor’s book as “two kilties on their way from home to camp”.  Camp would have been Blickling Hall in Norfolk where the Battalion was stationed at that time, before moving on to Kelling Heath and Cromer. Unfortunately, his service record has not survived, but it is known that he served with both the 4^th and 7^th Battalions Seaforth Highlanders and was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Leonard married Emmie Griffin Adams on 7 February 1925, in the Wesleyan Methodist Victoria Chapel, Prestwich, Manchester.  At the time of their marriage Leonard was living at 22 Hall Road, Crumpsall and working as a Public Trustees’ clerk.  They had one son, Kenneth, born in 1927.  Leonard died in November 1961, in Gatley, Cheshire, aged 64.

Leonard’s older brother Sydney served with the 14th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was killed in action in France on 20 October 1918.  He is buried at Bertry Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.  He was awarded the Military Medal.