Leonard Bertram Peskett was born in 1889 in New Brighton, Cheshire, England.  He was the son of Thomas Adolf Peskett and his wife, Annie Lucie Peskett.  Annie died in 1910. On his enlistment papers of 17 August 1914 Leonard, or Len as he was known, gave his occupation as tailor but said that he had had four years apprenticeship with T.A. Peskett, his father, as a saddler.  His next of kin was his father of 68 Jolimont Street, Jolimont, in 1918 crossed out and replaced with an address in Liverpool, England, where his letterhead showed him to be a merchant tailor in that city.   Len had had three years military experience with the Cheshire Rifles, and 2½ years with the 4^th West Lancashire Howitzer Brigade.  He was just under 5ft 8ins, had a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  The index finger on his left hand was missing.  He was appointed the 4^th Battery Field Artillery.

He embarked on 20 October 1914 on the Shropshire with the rank of gunner.  His address at date of embarkation was the same as his father’s: 68 [now 90] Jolimont Street.  The ship arrived in Alexandria on 3 December after an exciting trip which included the sinking of the Emden and taking her crew prisoner, and a collision between the Shropshire and another ship in the convoy, the Ascanious (for a detailed description see gunner Leslie H Tolliday’s letter home at link below)

The next four months were spent at Mena Camp training.  On 8 April the troops left Mena en route to Gallipoli where they landed on the 25 April.  Leonard escaped the initial onslaught but was wounded at Gallipoli on 7 August and suffered concussion but after a week off was back with his unit.  In October he caught influenza and was admitted to hospital in Malta.  Some weeks later he was evacuated to England suffering from appendicitis.

On 24 March 1916 he returned to duty in Egypt and on 1 May he was appointed to the new 5^th Division Artillery at Moascar, taken on strength of 14^th Field Artillery Brigade and posted to 55^th Battery.  He embarked from Alexandria on 20 June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on 30 June .  He was promoted temporary corporal on 11 August 1916 and then corporal on 24 October.  He was to be temporary sergeant on 7 April 1917. Then he was selected to attend Artillery Cadet School, St. John’s Wood in England. On 3 January 1917, having qualified for a commission in Field Artillery, he was appointed 2/Lieutenant and posted to Field Artillery Reinforcements. He returned to France to join 5^th Division Artillery on 21 January 1918. 

On 26 January he was taken on strength of 5^th Divisional Ammunition Column and then transferred to 5^th Trench Mortar Brigade on 6 March 1918.  He was appointed Lieutenant on 3 April 1918.  He was wounded in action 3 June 1918 and died in hospital the same day

His commanding officer wrote:-

Lieut. Peskett while in charge of a 6” Trench Mortar Battery in action was severely wounded in chest and legs by enemy High Explosive shell.  Through wounds received he died on 3.6.18. and was buried in DAOURS (Somme) Military Cemetery DAOURS.  It is absolutely certain that Lieut. PESKETT was buried in the above named cemetery.  Lt. Peskett was wounded in chalk pit, about 500 yards to the right of HAMEL and in rear of Bois de Vaire Wood.