BASTABLE, Leonard

Leonard Bastable was the son of Joshua and Caroline Bastable of 244 Long Lane, Halesowen. He volunteered for the Warwicks and served in the 11th (Service) Battalion who went to France in July 1915. They were deeply involved in the 1916 battle of the Somme which opened on the 1st July. On that day they were situated on the extreme left of the British line near Gommecourt and took part in the diversionary attack which was repulsed with great loss. Two weeks later the Warwicks moved on to the next position at High Wood and attacked on the 15th. It was a vulnerable situation and Private Leonard Bastable was killed in action on the 16th July. He was 23 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval, Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.