Military History

Leonard is listed as dying of wounds on 19 Apr 1917 at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station in Bethune. The 8th Battalion war diary indicates that he was wounded during the period 15th to 19th April 1917 and the war diary entries for that period are transcribed below.

Les Brebis - 15th April 1917: In trenches between Vermelles-Grenay in Brigade Reserve. At noon orders issued for the Battn to attack in conjunction with the 1 / Th Buffs. Battn moved up to south of Loos under heavy hostile barrage and finally occupied position on prolongation south of Loos Crassier. C & A Coy firing line, B&D in support. Casualties 28 OR wounded.

Loos - 16th April 1917: After artillery barrage C & A Coy bombed their way to first objective & consolidated. Bn on our left failed to breach theirs and retired on former position. Both C & A Coy’s flanks were in the air but despite this and enemy bombing attacks they maintained all ground gained. Casualties 2 OR killed and 17 wounded.

Loos - 17th April 1917: At 5am after artillery bombarded forward movement continued by bombing down trenches. A Coy were held up by strong points in front of Brigade on right . C Coy again took their objectives, captured 27 prisoners and a machine gun with trench mounting, Capt S.D. Brewster and 2/Lt W.T. Lynes doing splendid work. Remainder of day enemy bombarded nearly ? ground and back areas with heavy howitzers, but despite casualties and difficulties met with getting in supplies the ground taken towards Hill 70 was held. In the attack the 1/K.S.L.I were on our left and also gained their objective.

The Battalion was congratulated for their good work by the Brigadier and G.O.C 6^th Division. Casualties 3 OR killed and 17 wounded.

Loos - 18th April 1917: At 5am an attack on three points was made by D Coy on the strong point mentioned above which threatened our right flank (During the night B had relieved C in the front line and D Coy had relieved A Coy). This failed through the devastating fire poured onto them from concrete emplacements by hostile machine guns.  B Coy bombed down to their right to connect with D Coy but as strongpoint was not taken this was not effected.

Hostile artillery active the whole day and at periods became intense. Three more prisoners taken during the day. Casualties Lt. J.L. Ash wounded, 7 OR killed and 9 wounded.

Loos - 19th April 1917: All ground previously gained was held despite many bombing attacks by the enemy and a very heavy hostile barrage. At night Battalion was relieved by 14^th Durham Light Infantry. Relief was not completed until 6am, 20th inst. Battalion moved back to Maroc.

Casualties Capt. J.E. Black, 2/Lt Taylor killed, 2/Lt’s Balls, Betrey, Hendrie & Wright wounded. 17 OR killed and 91 wounded.