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25692 Sapper
 LENNARD (JOSEPH) COYLE
Royal Engineers

By

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, BSAE, PE, MInstRE
(January 2025)

Figure 1. Cap Badge of the Royal Engineers (VR)

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

1.      INTRODUCTION

Lennard Coyle[i] did not begin his military service in a manner to indicate that he would be a good soldier.  During his first three years of service he appeared twice in the Regimental Defaulters Book for being absent without leave and was court martialed once for desertion.  He was 23½ years old when he enlisted and had been working as an engine fitter.  He had tasted civil life, unlike the 18-year old recruit, and initially found it difficult to adjust to the discipline and regimen of Army life.  He also had been married at the time of his enlistment.

Except where otherwise indicated, the information presented in this narrative is based on the data contained in  Coyle’s service papers.

2.      EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION 

Lennard Coyle was born in the Parish of Bermondsey near the town of London in the County of Surrey in November of 1867. He was the son of William and Rebecca Coyle of Greenwich.[ii]  The Coyles had a large family with two sons and five daughters.[iii]  The 1871 Census of England shows the Coyle family living Bermondsey, Southwark. 

1871 Census of England (RG 10/630)

The 1881 Census of England shows that the Coyle family had moved to Greenwich. 

1881 Census of England (RG 11/723)

TABLE NOTES[vi]

(1)   William Coyle’s birthplace is shown as Marylebone, Middlesex in the 1871 Census and Hastings, Sussex in the 1881 Census.

(2)   Lilly Coyle does not appear in the 1871 Census.  Perhaps she is Elizabeth, although her age should be 28 and not 25.

(3)   Rosa’s age should be 25 and not 23, based on her age in the 1871 Census.

(4)   There is no Martha Coyle in the 1871 Census. 

3.      PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description of Lennard Coyle is from his service papers at the time of his enlistment.

4.      ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING

Enlistment 

Coyle was recruited for the Royal Engineers by a Sergeant Major Wilson of the 5^th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Dragoon Guards. At the time of his enlistment he claimed to be  residing in his parent’s home. He also claimed that he was not married, that he had never been imprisoned, had no prior military service, nor had he ever been rejected for prior military service.  In fact, Coyle had lied about his marital status.  He had been married in 1888 (see Section 9 below for details).  Prior to his enlistment in the Army, Lennard Coyle had worked as an engine fitter, an occupation of interest to the Corps of Royal Engineers for their enlisted men.  

Coyle was examined by an Army Medical Officer at St. Georges Barracks in London on 21 April 1891 and was duly certified as fit for military service. His primary medical examination was also certified on this day at St. Georges Barracks by the Staff Captain for Recruiting in the military district.  

Coyle was then administered the oath of attestation which was duly certified by the Assistant Adjutant General for Recruiting in London. His term of enlistment was for 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve. The Certificate of the Attesting Officer was completed on 21 April 1891 and the Certificate of the Approving Field Officer was completed on 23 April. Lennard Coyle was assigned Regimental Number 25692 and the rank of Sapper in the Corps of Royal Engineers and was posted to the School of Military Engineering for recruit training. 

Training 

Following the administrative actions involved with his enlistment, Coyle was sent off for his recruit training.  With the exception of Drivers, every recruit enlisted for the Royal Engineers had to have a trade.  Pioneers and Sappers were sent to Chatham where they were trained for a year in infantry drill and pioneer duties.  During the summer every training company in turn went into a tent-camp at Wouldham near Chatham, where the recruits were taught camp duties, pontooning and other field engineering tasks.  The engineer recruits also received musketry training.  When the course of training was completed the recruits had to pass an examination and were then transferred to engineer formations, where they received higher pay and could earn extra allowances by working at their special trades.[vii]  Since Coyle was an engine fitter prior to his enlistment, the Royal Engineers probably continued his training in this trade.

5.      POSTINGS, ASSIGNMENTS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE

Home Service (1891-1892)

Sapper Coyle served in England during the period from 21 April 1891 to 14 May 1892. After a period of recruit training as a soldier and sapper, he was assigned to the 7^th Field Company, R.E at Curragh Camp in Ireland.  The company was commanded by Major Alexander Lechmere Mein, R.E.[viii]

On 8 February 1892, Coyle went absent without leave for a period of 33 days. He returned to his unit on 13 March 1892 and was given 21 days field punishment by his commanding officer. The period of his absence plus the disposition of his offense and punishment caused him to forfeit a total of 55 days of service. Sapper Coyle returned to duty on 4 April 1892.  Less than 6 weeks later, on 15 May 1892, he again absented himself without leave. He returned to his unit 9 months later, on 13 February 1893. This time he was charged with desertion. Coyle was confined for 8 days pending the convening of a District Court Martial (D.C.M.).[ix] On 21 February 1893 Sapper Coyle was convicted of desertion and sentenced to 84 days imprisonment at hard labour.  In all likelihood Coyle went home to be with his wife during these absences.  He must have sorely missed her and his two children.

All of his prior service was forfeited as a result of this conviction for desertion; hence, his service towards his engagement in the Army was reckoned anew from 21 February 1893. Coyle returned to duty on 16 May 1893 and again absented himself without proper authority on 23 February 1894. He returned to his unit after only 6 days and was returned to duty on 1 March 1894. There is no record that he was punished in any way for this absence. On 20 February 1896 Sapper Coyle completed his period of limited engagement in the Army. He was still serving in the 7^th  Field Company, R.E. which was commanded at this time by Major William Francis Howard Stafford, R.E.  On 21 February 1896 Sapper Coyle was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve for the remaining nine years of his initial enlistment.

Interestingly, both of Coyle’s company commanders played on the Royal Engineers football team of 1875. In the figure below, Stafford is third from the left in the back row and Mein is second from right in the back row.

Figure 2.  The Royal Engineers 1875 Football Team.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia) 

South Africa (1899-1902) 

In the early summer of 1899, with the probability of a conflict with the Boers in South Africa increasing, it was decided to send a number of engineer units to Natal. In November of 1899, two additional infantry divisions were embarked in support of the Army Corps in South Africa. The 37^th Field Company, Royal Engineers was attached to the 5^th Division as one of the units sailing for South Africa. To bring the 37^th Field Company up to strength for deployment it was necessary to call up soldiers from the Army Reserve. On 11 November 1899 an Army Order was published to establish this call up. Sapper Lennard Coyle was recalled to active service by this order on 13 November 1899 and was assigned to the 37^th Field Company, commanded by Captain William Alan Cairns, R.E.  Given his penchant for absence from duty it is a wonder that he reported for duty when he was called up.  Desertion in the time of war carried much more serious punishments, and Coyle was probably well aware of this; hence, he kissed his wife, daughter and son goodbye and reported to his unit.

The 5^th Division, operating in the force of Sir Redvers Buller, was given the task of outflanking the Boer force at Colenso by crossing the Tugela River in an attempt to relieve the beleaguered British units at Ladysmith. The 37^th Field Company established a ferry at Potgieter's Drift on the Tugela, by means of which part of Buller's force crossed to the north side of the river and prepared for the flank march to Ladysmith.

Figure 4.  British Pontoon Bridge over the Tugela River, 
Battle of Spion Kop, 24 January 1900.
(Photograph courtesy of BritishBattles.com) 

The company was next employed in making a road for the transport of naval guns up to Swart Kop, a commanding position south of the Tugela, opposite Vaalkrantz on the north bank, over which it was proposed to make another attempt to break through the Boers to Ladysmith. After the relief of Ladysmith the Natal Army remained for two months south of the Biggarsberg Mountains.

Figure 5.  Royal Navy 4.7 inch Guns Firing at Boer Positions, Val Krantz, 5 February 1900
(Photograph courtesy of BritishBattles.com) 

By May 1900 the 37^th Field Company was still in Natal with the 5th Infantry Division in Sir Redvers Buller's force. Buller's task was now to move northward through Newcastle and join the army of Lord Roberts in the Transvaal. Buller's force commenced its march northward on 10 May 1900 and fought its way through the Biggarsberg Hills, Botha's Pass (8 June), Alleman's Nek (11 June), and Laing's Nek (12 June). On 4 July 1900 the advance guard of the Natal Army joined hands with the right flank of Lord Roberts' force at Vlakfontein, and preparations were started for the campaign in the Eastern Transvaal. The 37^th Field Company crossed the Drakensberg with the 5^th Division and halted at Volkrust where they were employed in constructing defences and in repairing the railway between Volkrust and Standerton. By 1 September 1900 the regular campaign in South Africa was over. What followed from this point was a series of small guerrilla type operations for which the Royal Engineers field companies were broken up into small sections and detachments. On 22 June 1901 Sapper Coyle was authorized Good Conduct Pay at the rate of one penny per day (1d.). This was the first award of Good Conduct pay he received since his enlistment in April of 1891. His service from 21 April 1891 to 14 May 1892, which he had forfeited as a result of his conviction for desertion, was restored to him under Paragraph 1842 of King's Regulations of 1899. He was further rewarded with Good Conduct Pay at 2d. on 22 June 1902. Coyle appears to have been a much better soldier on active service than he was during peace time service at home. His records contain no evidence of disciplinary action during his time in South Africa.  He received no wounds while serving in South Africa.

Home Service (1902-1904)

Sapper Coyle departed the 37^th Field Company in South Africa on 1 September 1902. He arrived in England on 12 October 1902 and was demobilized on 22 June 1903 and retransferred to the Army Reserve in accordance with an Army Order dated 25 June 1902. Upon his demobilization he was issued a gratuity of 8 Pounds and 5 Shillings as a result of his second transfer to the Army Reserve. He was also granted 252 days furlough gratuity of 26 Pounds, 15 Shillings, and 6 Pence under the demobilization regulations for service in Soth Africa.  Coyle never received a promotion during his time in the Army. His service record shows that he had not earned any Certificates of Education.

6.      MILITARY TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

Coyle had not passed any specialized classes of instruction while in the Army. He was, however, classified as a skilled fitter.

7.      MEDALS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

For his service in the war, Sapper Coyle, who had taken part in most of the major actions with the 37^th Field Company, was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps [ORANGE FREE STATE] [TRANSVAAL] [TUGELA HEIGHTS] [RELIEF OF LADYSMITH] and [LAING'S NEK].[x] His entitlement to this medal is verified by the company's medal roll dated Newcastle, Natal, 11 July 1901. For his participation in the guerrilla war phase of the conflict in 1901 and 1902 he was also authorized the King's South Africa Medal with clasps [SOUTH AFRICA 1901] [ SOUTH AFRICA1902].[xi]  His entitlement to this medal is verified by the company's medal roll dated Middleburg, Cape Colony, 28 February 1903.[xii]

Figure 6.  The Queen’s and King’s South Africa Medals.
(Images from the author’s collection) 

NOTE: The King’s South Africa Medal is not Sapper Coyle’s.  

8.      RELEASE FROM SERVICE

Coyle was discharged from the Army Reserve on 27 January 1904 on the termination of his first period of limited engagement. He had actually served a total of 12 years and 282 days, of which 282 days were forfeited due to bad conduct.  His total service was reckoned as shown in the tables below:

NOTE: 282 days were forfeited due to bad conduct, so his total service amounted to exactly 12 years.

9.      MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION

Marriage

Lennard Joseph Coyle, Bachelor, married Rosa Hannah Jemima Beckett (1872-1959), Spinster, on 5 August 1888 in St. Alfege Church in Greenwich.  Rosa was 17 years old.  The couple listed their residence on the marriage certificate as 17 Upper Park Street.  Lennard’s occupation is listed as Engineer. 

Lennard’s father is listed on the marriage certificate as a Clerk and Rosa’s father, Joseph James Beckett, is listed as a Lighterman.   

Figure 7.  St. Alfege Church, Greenwich.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia) 

Children 

Lennard and Rosa had two children: Lennard Joseph Coyle (1889-1916) and Ethel Pansy Myrtle Coyle (1894-1975). 

Lennard Joseph Coyle served in the Royal West Kent Regiment, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.  He then received a commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.  He served in the 10^th Battalion of that regiment in France during the Great War and was killed in action on the Somme on 23 November 1916. 

Figure 8.  The Great War Medal Index Card of 2^nd Lieutenant L.J. Coyle, K.R.R.C.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com) 

            The Great War Medal Card shows that 2^nd Lieutenant Coyle was awarded the 1914-15 Star when he was serving as a Corporal in the Royal West Kent Regiment.  He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal when he was serving in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.  The medals to which 2^nd Lieutenant Coyle was entitled are shown in Figure 9 below.  These are not Coyle’s medals.  They are presented here for illustrative purposes only.

Figure 9.  The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
(Image from the author’s collection)

REFERENCES:

Books

1.      CONOLLY, T.W.J.  Roll of Officers of the Corps of Royal Engineers From 1660 to 1898.  The Royal Engineers Institute, Chatham, Kent, 1898.

2.      GRIERSON, J.M. Scarlet Into Khaki. Greenhill Books, London, 1988.

3.      WATSON, C.M. The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Volume III. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent.

Census

1.      1871 Census of England (RG 10/630).

2.      1881 Census of England (RG 11/723).

Civil Documents

Marriage Certificate: Leonard Joseph Coyle and Rose Hannah Jemima Beckett, 5 August 1888.

Internet Web Sites

1.      BritishBattles.com

https://www.britishbattles.com/

2.      Commonwealth War Graves Commission

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/757142/l-j-coyle/

3.      Great Ships.
https://greatships.net/canada

Soldier’s Service Papers

1.      Short Service Attestation (Army Form B. 217).

2.      Statement of Services. 

3.      Description on Enlistment.

4.      Military History Sheet.

ENDNOTES