Stockwell War Memorial

Friends of Stockwell War Memorial & Gardens

age 19

Osmond McKenzie

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O. J. L. Mackenzie
Service no. 1662
Rifleman, London Regiment (City of London Rifles), 1st/6th Battalion
Born in Clapham; enlisted in London; lived in Clapham
Killed in action at age 19 on 15 September 1916
CWGC: “Son of Mr and Mrs James L. MacKenzie, of 10 Atherfold Road, Clapham, London.”
Remembered at Thiepval Memorial, France

Brother of Roderick MacKenzie

Information from the censuses

In 1911 Osmond MacKenzie, 13, lived with his large family in 5 rooms at 10 Atherfold Road. James Leadbetter MacKenzie, 41, from Edinburgh, was a journalist. His wife, Kate MacKenzie, 41, was from Inverness. They  had 9 surviving children (1 died) – 8 sons and a daughter:
Edymion MacKenzie, 16, a woodcarving student, born in Edinburgh
Julian MacKenzie, 14, an architect’s apprentice, born in Edinburgh
Osmond MacKenzie, 13, born in Lambeth
Roderick MacKenzie, 12, born in Wimbledon
Athol MacKenzie, 9, born in Lambeth
Alasdhair MacKenzie, 7, born in Lambeth
Donald MacKenzie, 5, born in Lambeth
Quentin MacKenzie, 2, born in Lambeth
Natalie Syliva MacKenzie, 1

In 1901 the MacKenzie family lived at 10 Hemberton Road (adjacent to Atherfold Road). Maggie Grant, 19, Kate’s sister, lived with them. On the night of the census, John Carl Lyte, 39, an actor, was staying in the house as a visitor.

Arthur George Luckhurst

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A. G. Luckhurst
Service no. 70071
Private, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 6th Battalion
Born in Clapham; enlisted at Kingston; lived in Clapham
Killed in action on 23 August 1918 at age 19
CWGC: “Son of Mrs. Bearman, of 31, Union Street, Clapham, London.”
Remembered at Meaulte Military Cemetery, France

Information from the censuses

Arthur George Luckhurst lived at 31 Union Street for all his short life. He is found on the 1901 census at age one, living with his father, another Arthur G. Luckhurst, 30, a bricklayer’s labourer born in Lambeth, and mother Elizabeth Luckhurst, 28, born in Clapham. The household was headed by Elizabeth’s father, Francis S. Fornes, 60, a widower and brewer’s labourer born in Lambeth. The younger Arthur had an older sister, Violet, 4.

Arthur is found on the 1911 aged 12. He lived with his widowed mother Elizabeth, who was working as a charwoman, and sister  Violet, 14. In 1911 the family occupied 2 rooms. From the CWGC entry, we can surmise that Elizabeth remarried some time after 1911, becoming Mrs Bearman.

Frederick James Lowles

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F. J. Lowles
Service no. 49765
Private, Northamptonshire Regiment, 6th Battalion
Born in Stockwell; enlisted in Camberwell
Died of wounds on 18 September 1918 aged 19
CWGC: “Son of Mr. and Mrs. George William Lowles, of 4 Edithna Street, Stockwell, London.”
Remembered at Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, France

National Roll of Honour 1914-1918

LOWLES, F. J., Private, 6th Northamptonshire Regt.
He joined in August 1917, and embarked for France in the following year. He was in action in many parts of the line, and was wounded at Arras, and also at Villers Bretonneux. On recovery he rejoined his unit, and took part in heavy fighting until severely wounded at Peronne. Admitted to hospital he died from his injuries on September 18th, 1918, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.
“And doubtless he went in splendid company.”
4, Edithna Street, Landor Road, S.W.9.

Information from the censuses

In 1911 Frederick James Lowles, then aged 11, lived in 3 rooms at 4 Edithna Street, Stockwell. His father George William Lowles, 46, was a paper-hanger, born in Tower Hill. His mother, Elizabeth Lowles, 44, was born in Lambeth. The couple had had 5 children (one died). Three lived at home: Frederick, 11; George William, 19, a printer; Henry Charles Lowles, 8. All were born in Lambeth.
Ten years previously, the Lowles family was living at the same address. The census included Bessie Lowles, 6.

 

George Lever

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G. Lever
Service no. G/11157
Private, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 11th Battalion
Born in Stockwell; enlisted in Lambeth; lived in Stockwell
Died on 17 September 1916 aged 19
CWGC: “Son of G. and Annie Lever, of 151, Sparrows Herne, Bushey, Herts.”
Remembered at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France

Information from the 1911 census

George Lever, whose father was also called George, was 14 and at school. He lived with his family at 70 Hubert Grove, Stockwell, where they occupied 5 rooms. George Lever (senior), 56, was a carpenter originally from Lovant, near Salisbury, Wiltshire. Annie Lever, 52, was from Clapham. They had had 10 children, of whom 6 survived. Four of these lived at home:
Fred Lever, 23, a Post Office sorter; Annie Lever, 21, a sewing machinist (children’s clothes); George Lever, 14; Alfred Lever, 7. All were born at 70 Hubert Grove.

Leonard William Jenn

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L. W. Jenn
Service no. 7270
Private, London Regiment (London Scottish), 14th Battalion
Enlisted in London; lived in Brixton
Died of gunshot wounds to the abdomen at age 19 on 9 August 1916
Remembered at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France

Information from the 1911 census

In 1911 Leonard Jenn, 14, was living at 7 Delverton Road, Newington South, Southwark with his mother, Annie Jenn, 37, and brother Ernest Jenn, 18, a junior clerk. Annie was born in Acton, Ernest in Harringay and Leonard in Holloway.
Information from the 1901 census

In 1901 the Jenn family lived at 33 Peacock Street, Newington. Henry Jenn, 31, was a wholesale fruit salesman, born in Islington.

Information from National Archives British Army WW1 Service Records

Before the war, Private Leonard William Jenn was a waiter. He gave the Bonnington Hotel, Southampton Row as his address when he attested at Holborn, London. He was just over 19, single and stood only 5 feet 4½ inches. He was relatively stocky for the time, his chest measuring 36 inches with 4 inches expansion.

Jenn took a gunshot wound to the abdomen on 9 August 1916 at the battle of Morlancourt. The orderlies at No 43 Casualty Clearing Station could not save him. He had lasted a mere 244 days’ service.

Jenn stated in his will that his belongings should go to his mother, Annie. They were listed: disc, letters, photos, pocket book, cigarette case, titles, lighter.

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918

JENN, L. W., Private, 14th London Regiment (London Scottish).
Joining in March 1916, he proceeded overseas shortly afterwards and served with his Battalion during heavy fighting in the Somme sector. He died gloriously on the Field of Battle at Morlancourt in 1916, and was entitled to the General Service and Victory Medals.
“His Life for his Country, his Soul to God.”
52, Solon Road, Acre Lane, S.W.2.