225896 L/Cpl. James Leonardi MM.British Army 9th Btn. York and Lanccaster Regiment from:St Annes, Nottingham James Leonardi was born in 1874 and lived with his parents Frederick and Hannah at St Annes, Nottingham. A milk seller by occupation, he enlisted on 10th of September 1914. He went to France with the 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on 27th of August 1915 as part of 70th Brigade, 8th Division. On 1st July 1916 the 9th Battalion took part in the Battle of the Somme and lost almost half the attacking force from machine guns sited in Thiepval Wood. Out of 25 officers and 736 other ranks, only 180 returned. Lance-Corporal Leonardi was awarded the M.M. (London Gazette 12th December 1917). He was discharged from the 13th Battalion on 18 February 1919 with a home address of 17 Wright Street, off Hewitt Street, Nottingham.
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