Leonard James Keyworth Explained

Leonard James Keyworth
Birth Date:12 August 1893
Death Date:19 October 1915 (aged 22)
Birth Place:Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England
Death Place:Abbeville, France
Placeofburial:Abbeville Communal Cemetery
Serviceyears:1914–1915
Rank:Corporal
Branch: British Army
Unit:London Regiment
Battles:World War I
Awards: Victoria Cross
Medal of St. George (2nd Class) (Russia)

Leonard James Keyworth VC (12 August 1893 – 19 October 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Son of James and Emma Keyworth, of Lincoln.[1] He was a Lance-Corporal in the 24th (County of London) Battalion (The Queen’s), The London Regiment, British Army during the First World War.

On 25/26 May 1915 at Givenchy, France, 21-year-old Keyworth performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Others involved in that incident were Captain Donald Figg and Private Herbert John Hodgson. Keyworth was also awarded the Medal of St. George (2nd Class) of Russia.

Citation

He later achieved the rank of Corporal, but was killed in action at Abbeville, France, on 19 October 1915.[2] He is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery.[1]

Further information

This medal is currently in a private collection.

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/76087 Keyworth, Leonard James
  2. http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/aakk.htm Details