Copies of WWI photographs of Leslie Horton Partridge
c. 1917A series of reprints of photographs taken of Leslie Horton Partridge during World War One, obtained from his grandson.
The first photograph is a portrait of the head and shoulders of LHP. He is wearing his high collared tunic and peaked cap, with the cap badge of the Royal Engineers attached. He has dark hair and a moustache and is looking slightly to the side. The date is unknown.
The second photograph also shows LHP in his uniform (jacket, shirt and tie) and cap. He is wearing a Sam Brown belt diagonally across his chest. The collar badges of the Royal Engineers can be seen on the lapels of his tunic. He is looking straight at the camera. The name of the photographer (illegible) and 1917 are written in blue ink at the lower right.
The third photograph shows LHP mounted on a dark coloured horse with a white blaze. He is wearing his uniform, Sam Browne belt, peaked cap and riding boots. His rank of 2nd Lieutenant is visible on his sleeve. He is in front of a brick building. It is undated, but was taken after his commission which was made official in June 1917.
The fourth photograph shows a group of seven officers from the Royal Engineers. Three, including LHP on the right, are standing, three are seated on a bench, and one is sitting on the ground in front. The are all wearing their uniforms and Sam Browne belts. Some are wearing puttees and others long leather boots.
The fifth photograph is of the citation from the London Gazette relating to he awarding of the Military Cross to LHP.
Leslie Horton Partridge was born on 10 March 1891 in Elmdon, Warwickshire, to Henry Horton Partridge and his wife, Florence Elizabeth Bond Evans. His father died when he was aged one and his mother when he was 22. By 1911, he was living in Lewisham, London and his occupation was listed as an assistant surveyor.
He married Mildred Evelyn Elizabeth Stacey in July 1913 at King's Norton, Warwickshire and their daughter, Muriel Horton Partridge, was born on 16 January 1915.
In World War One, he enlisted with the 67th Field Company of the Royal Engineers.The Field Companies of the Royal Engineers provided technical skill and know-how in support of the fighting units of the formation known as a Division.
When the expansion of the army was sanctioned in August 1914, it required four Armies each of six Divisions to have two Field Companies each.
The company that Leslie Horton Partridge joined was raised for the formation of Kitchener’s Armies, and was known as the First New Army, K1 67th Field Company, 11th (Northern) Division. They served firstly in the Gallipoli campaign, but when Leslie joined later in the war, they were operating in the France and Flanders regions.
Between 15 September 1916 and the Armistice on 11 November 1918, the 11th Division were positioned in Flers-Courcelette, Thiepval, Ancre Heights, Ancre, Messines, Langemarck, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Scarpe, Drocourt-Queant, Canal Du Nord, Cambrai, Selle, Valenciennes and Sambre.
The artworks in this collection were all created between September and November 1917, which corresponds to the battles associated with Menin Road through to Passchendaele. By this stage, Leslie was a commissioned officer - a Temporary Second Lieutenant - bestowed on 11 June 1917. This may explain the better level of accommodation he appears to be depicting. Alternatively, he may have had leave and stayed in or frequented local boarding houses, restaurants and cafes, such as the Estaminet du Chemin de Fer in Watten. Several of the works have a domestic theme - kitchens and the inside of buildings, while others are of houses and other buildings, some of which have sustained damage during the war.
Leslie was awarded the Military Cross for an action on 6 November 1918. This was reported in the London Gazette, No. 31680, page 15360, dated 9 December 1919.
The citation reads "Near Roisin on 6th November, 1918, he was in command of a party carrying out forward reconnaissance of roads, bridges and enemy mines. The party was continually harassed by heavy machine-gun and shell fire, and he and one sapper were wounded. With fine devotion to duty he persisted in his work, and obtained valuable information which enabled early repairs to be carried out."
At some time after the war, he divorced Mildred, marrying Ida Alice Bradford in July 1938 in Westnminster, Middlesex. He died, aged 56, on 17 December 1947 in Walton-on Thames, Surrey.
The artworks, commission document and these copies of photos relating to Leslie Horton Partridge were purchased from the son of Muriel Horton Partridge, and grandson of Leslie Horton Partridge.
Details
Details
Related Objects
Related Objects
Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->
