Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Brown a bricklayer, born 1862 in Ratby, Leicestershire (son of Thomas Brown) and his wife Elizabeth Brown (nee Baker, married on the 24th July 1884 in SS. Philip & James Church, Ratby), born in the April quarter of 1865 in Ratby (daughter of John Baker, 1835 and Mary Wright, 1837). Job Leonard was born on the 3rd August 1892 in Ratby and baptised on the 18th September 1892 in SS. Philip & James Church, Ratby, his siblings were Thomas Harold, born on the 24th November 1884 and baptised on the 15th March 1885 in SS. Philip & James Church, Ratby, John Charles, born on the 4th October 1897 and baptised on the 19th December 1897 in SS. Philip & James Church, Ratby, Ethel Mary, born on the 12th December 1886 and baptised on the 20th February 1887 in SS. Philip & James Church, Ratby, Eunice Alice, born in the April quarter of 1889 and Lily Elizabeth, born in the January quarter of 1895 and baptised on the 21st April 1895 in SS. Philip & James Church, Ratby, all his siblings were born in Ratby, in March 1901 the family home was at Stamford Street, Ratby.
In April 1911 Job was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Stamford Street, Ratby, together with his mother and siblings, Ethel, a hosiery trade worker, Eunice, a hosiery trade worker, Lily, a hosiery trade worker and John, a schoolboy.
Job enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 6th September 1915 at the 17th R.D, Town Hall, Leicester, and was allotted the service number GF/1853. He gave his place of birth as Ratby, Leicestershire and age as 23 years 29 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery hand. He gave his present address as Stamford Street, Ratby, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 2nd September 1915 and recorded his apparent age as 23 years 29 days, that he was 5 feet 8¼ inches in height, weighed 125 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33½ inches and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Thomas Brown, Stamford Street, Ratby, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Enlisted. At Leicester. 6/9/15.
Attested. At Holmbury Camp. 9/9/15.
Posted. 23rd (Footballers Bn.) Middlesex Regt. Pte. 9/9/15.
Embarked. 3/5/16.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 15/9/16.
Wounded and missing. In the Field. 15/9/16.
Death presumed. Pte. 15/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 6/9/15 – 2/5/16. 239 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 3/5/16 – 15/9/16. 136 days.
Total Service. 1 year 10 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Job’s surviving service record is in fair condition and offers a reasonably accurate overall description of some of the events that took place during his short period of service.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 – In Action. 1.00am. Assembly complete - 123rd Brigade in reserve of 41st Division.
6.20am. Zero – attack launched – 124th Brigade on right – 122nd Brigade on left – tanks leading.
10.00am. Brigade moved forward – to left of FLERS ROAD on line of our previous position in DELVILLE WOOD avoiding barrages several times.
Midday. Left trenches in German switch TRENCH – heavy shelling. Adjutant casualty. “B” and “D” on right of FLERS ROAD “C” and “A” on left.
3.15pm. Advanced up right of FLERS ROAD and along right of FLERS WOOD.
4.30pm. “B” and “D” Companies leading with Commanding Officer. “A” and “C” Companies behind.
5.00pm. Commanding Officer casualty.
Officer Commanding “A” Company ordered by Brigadier General CLEMSON General Officer Commanding 124th Brigade that the strong point North of FLERS WOOD known as “Hogs Back” must be held at all cost. At North East corner of FLERS Officer Commanding “A” Company met survivors of attack – about 250 men of various Regiments – retiring.
5.30pm. They were rallied and “Hogs Back” reoccupied with the help of “B” and “D” Companies.
6.45pm. Ordered by Colonel OAKLEY (Officer Commanding 10th QUEENS 124th Brigade) to retire into line East of FLERS at night fall as enemy was coming round the right flank.
7.30pm. Took 5 prisoners. Retired on to line stated. Officer Commanding “A” Company (in Command of Battalion) handed over to Major BEATTY (10th ROYAL WEST KENTS). Held on during night.
[recognitum IV-III-MMXXIV]