Born in 1894 at North Weald, son of John (Farm Labourer) and Hannah Lagdon. In 1901 he is living with his family at 8 Prospect Road, Woodford Green. In 1911 he is a Gas Fitter living with his family at 74 Prospect Road, Woodford Green.
29 Officers and 753 Other Ranks of 1/4 Essex left Devonport on 21st July 1915, and with 1/5, 1/6, 1/7 Essex formed 161 Brigade. On 12/13 August 1915 the Brigade disembarked at Suvla in Gallipoli. It was planned that an attack on 16th August 1915 would try to recapture Turkish positions, but 4 Essex would be held in the reserve trenches.
Unfortunately on 16th August 1915 Turkish shelling and sniper fire caused many casualties among the troops in their shallow trenches, and inflicted the first fatalities on 4 Essex. Capt. John Gowan, 2/Lt Ernest Hickman, Privates David Lagdon, William Webb and George Savill were killed. Lt John Macadam and 14 Other Ranks were wounded, 6 of whom (including Macadam) later died from their wounds.
Note - family use both Lagden and Lagdon for their surname.
Memorial: Roll of Honour: Woodford United Free Church. St Barnabas Church. Woodford Men’s Club
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources: Ancestry.com
Find my Past.co.uk
Woodford Times
History of 4th Essex Regiment Book