Notes
The Roll lists his address as 15 Narrow Street. It states that he "committed suicide (shot himself) 23 February 1918 in Italy, aged 20". That date does not, however, tally with official records.
(CWGC records that Trooper Leonard Russell, regimental number 145616, died aged 20 on 22/2/1918 serving in B Squadron of Northamptonshire Yeomanry, and is buried in Plot 5. Row E. Grave 3 at Giavera British Cemetery Arcade in Italy. They record him as the foster son of Mrs G Cracknell of 23 Glenton Street, Peterborough. On the night of the 1911 census Leonard Russell was recorded as being aged 15, staying at 15 Narrow Bridge Street in Peterborough, working as an errand boy for restaurant owner Louis Rocca; his place of birth was given as "Bumpstead, Essex". On the 1901 census Leonard had been recorded as the adopted son of George and Ellen Cracknell, with whom he was living at Shudy Camps in Cambridgeshire; Leonard's age was given as 5 and his place of birth as Steeple Bumpstead, Essex. (On the 1891 census George and Ellen Cracknell had been living in Steeple Bumpstead. On the 1911 census they were living at 23 Glenton Street, Star Road, Peterborough). Leonard Russell's birth was registered in 1897 in the Braintree District of Essex. The Medal Rolls record that he originally served in the Northamptonshire Yeomanry under regimental number 1449, under which he was posted to France on 13/2/1915, and under which his 1915 Star medal was issued; his regimental number later changed to 145616, under which his British and Victory medals were issued. The Medal Rolls also record that Leonard "died of wounds, self-inflicted" on 22/2/1918. The Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects record that Leonard was serving in the 1/1st Northants Yeomanry when he committed suicide in Italy; his legatee was Mrs Ellen Cracknell. When his death was announced in the Peterborough Advertiser on 30/3/1918, it was reported that Leonard's adopted parents Mr & Mrs Cracknell had received official notification from the War Office that Leonard had "died suddenly", and that an enquiry was underway; it was reported that they had also heard unofficially from his officer, who had informed them that Leonard had shot himself with his revolver "on the night of the 23rd". It is probable that this report resulted in the incorrect date of 23/2/1918 being listed on the Roll of Honour).