WOOLDRIDGE, Leonard

Leonard Wooldridge was one of three brothers who volunteered in 1914, the others being Bert and David. They were the sons of Mrs A. Chamberlain of 163 High Street, Lye. Leonard was probably living in south Wales and enlisted in the Welsh Regiment in the 8th (Service) Battalion, the Pioneer Battalion for the 13th Division. They went in 1915 to Gallipoli and from there to Mesopotamia in January 1916. Their attempt to relieve the British force in Kut failed and in the summer heat and desert conditions the campaign made little progress. Private Leonard Wooldridge died of a fever on a steamer going down the Tigris on the 29th June. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Basra, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.