Arthur Ledgard

ARTHUR LEDGARD

Ordinary Seaman J/56146, Royal Navy

Died 14th January 1917 aged 20

Lost at Sea Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Son of Fred and Lizzie Ledgard

Lived 42, Victoria Street, Heckmondwike

Arthur was born on 2nd March 1897 and was baptized at Heckmondwike Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on 29th April 1897. He was the eldest child of Fred Ledgard and Lizzie nee Beaumont. Fred and Lizzie were married in 1896. He had two sisters Lizzie born in 1902 and Frances born in 1907. In 1901 & 1911, the family were living on Westfield Terrace, Little Green, Heckmondwike. They subsequently moved to Victoria Street, where they were living when Arthur died.

He attended Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, where he had been baptised. He was involved with the Young Men’s Bible Class and also sang in the choir. He was a pupil at Battye Street School. Later he played Cricket for the 2nd eleven at Heckmondwike Cricket Club.

On leaving school he worked for Messrs. John Wilson’s Hide and Skin Company until he enlisted.

Arthur joined the Royal Navy on 4th August 1916 and went to Portsmouth for training which was very brief. His first ship was the “Victory”, he went to sea in H.M.S. “Fearless”. Sadly he did not come home again after he enlisted.

His parents were notified in a letter from the Admiralty that he had drowned on 14th January 1917, but no further information was given. He was only 20 years of age. His military record states that he was ‘killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action’ and that ’his body was not recovered for burial’.

His name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and also on St. James’s Church War Memorial and also on St. Saviour’s War Memorial.{MA-084}

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