No. 9034, 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment, who died on 28th September 1918 aged 31

Rhodolpho is buried in Grevillers British Cemetery.

Rhodolpho is on the Hasketon Memorial, and in some military documents is known as ‘Rudolph’.

He was born Harwich in June 1887, son of Willian and Harriet Leggett, and died during the Battle of the Canal du Nord. (Flesquires, France). Before the war he worked as a gamekeeper.

Personal details

(Note: this is a slightly complicated family history owing to 3 generations all sharing the same christian name. We think we have got it right, but please help us if you have more information.)

His full name was Rhodolpho William Leggett.   His parents were William Leggett [B. Framlingham, 1853], wheelwright, and Harriet Elizabeth Leggett (Nee Wightman). [Plomsgate A-J 1882. 1076].   

Harriet died in September 1889 when Rhodolpho would have been 2 years old.  This was Williams second marriage – in 1881 he is listed as a widower living in Wickham Market with 2 children and a housekeeper.

In 1891 Rhodolpho, aged 3, and older sister Flora [B. Wickham Market, 1884] are living with grandparents Rhodolpho and Rachel Leggett and also uncle Rhodolpho [B. Laxfield,1877] in Laxfield, while their father William is lodging with the Dearing family in Thorndon where he was working as a carpenter.

In 1901 Rhodolpho and Flora are lodging with Charles Oxborrow in Burgh Road Hasketon.  It’s not clear if they were related to Mr. Oxborrow.

By 1911 Rhodolpho was living in Mocktree, Leintwarden, Shropshire, working as a gamekeeper.

In the Register of Soldiers Effects, ‘Maggie M Drew’ is named as the recipient.

A ‘Pte R Leggett 7th Batt. Suffolk Regt’, is also honoured on the Memorial at Fornham All Saints near Bury St. Edmunds.  This may be ‘our’ Rhodolpho, since he was originally in the 7th Battalion, but we have not found any connection with Fornham.

War service.

Based on the Medal Roll Index Cards his date of arrival in France was 30th May 1915, making him eligible for the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.

He enlisted in Suffolk Regiment at Bury St. Edmunds in August 1914 and, based on the WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, appears to have been initially in 7th Battalion before joining the 2nd Battalion.  He may have taken part in many 2nd or 7th Battalion actions in France and Flanders during 1915 – 1918.

He died from wounds on 28th September 1918, possibly after taking part in a successful but costly attack on Flesquieres during the Battle of the Canal du Nord.