The Rushden Echo Friday 5 November 1915, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Rushden Soldier Killed - Pte Leonard W. Helsdown - Victim of a Mine Explosion - Under a Trench
Mr and Mrs W Helsdown, of 113, Cromwell-road, Rushden, have received official news that their son, 1960 Pte Leonard W Helsdown, of the 4th Northants Regt was killed in action on Oct. 10th.
The deceased soldier, whose regiment was with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, was 22 years of age, and had been in the Territorials nearly three years. He was called up for active service in August 1914, and left for the Dardenelles on July 28th, 1915. Prior to being called up he was employed by Mr Fred Knight, Park-road, Rushden.
Capt F W Wright, in a letter to the late Pte Helsdown's parents, written under date Oct. 11th, says:- "It is with extreme sorrow I write you just a line to tell you how deeply I feel the death of your son. He has been in my company now for nearly two years and I knew him as a willing cheerful soldier. His cheery voice used to shorten many of the long marches we had as the old H company. It will be a great source of satisfaction to know that he died doing his duty, and I believe he suffered no pain, and that is something."
From another source Mrs Helsdown has received the information that her son was killed by the explosion of a mine under the trench. He was buried in the military cemetery with full military honours.
We understand that Pte Helsdown was killed by the same explosion which caused the death of Pte Frank Frisby.
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Evening Telegraph, Thursday 4th November 1915, transcribed by John Collins.
Rushden “Terrier” Killed
We regret to announce that Mr. and Mrs. W. Helsdown, of113, Cromwell-road, Rushden, have received from the Territorial Record Office (Warley) an official intimation that their son, 1960 Pte. Leonard W. Helsdown, of the 1/4th Northants Regiment, has been killed in action in Gallipoli. The date is given as October 10th. the deceased soldier had been in the Territorials nearly three years, and was called up for service in August, 1914, being sent to the Dardanelles on July 28th this year. He formerly worked at the boot factory of Messrs. F. Knight and Son, Rushden, and was 22 years of age. A sympathetic letter from Capt. F. A. Wright describes Pte. Helsdown as a “cheerful and willing” soldier. Letters from various Rushden men say that the trench was blown up by a mine, and that Pte. Helsdown was buried, with military honours in a soldier’s cemetery.
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