Military History

Leonard is listed as being killed in action on 21st August 1915, just 5 days after arriving at the front. He was originally listed as missing and indeed the family wrote to the Red Cross in January 1916 enquiring as to whether he was a Prisoner of War. His death was later presumed and his remains were not recovered for burial. The 2nd Battalion war diary for the 21st is transcribed below.

Suvla – Aug 21^st: Quiet morning during which CO took all O.C Coys up to view the position which Battns had to attack.

2.30pm: Bombardment by all available guns

3.05pm: Inniskillings started the attack passing through the K.O.S.B line and building up a firing line opposite Hill 70.

3.30pm: Assault on Hill 70 commenced (orders for same attached)

5pm: Border Regt ordered up to support R.I.F [Royal Inniskilling Fusilier]

Chocolate Hill – 6.10pm: In accordance with orders received Battalion advanced to the assault on Hill 70. Failure? of Inniskillings & Border Regt caused a change in the orders. C & D Coys formed front line, A & B supports. Battalion HQ’s moved up into K.O.S.B’s trenches.

The Mounted Brigade were supposed to attack on our right but for reason or other they also advanced straight on Hill 70 and so got very muddled up with us. C&D Coys appeared to get on well and charged over the top of Hill 70, darkness then came down and it was impossible to see what was going on. A great many Yeomanry came back and said that they had been the order to retire. B Coy was then sent up to try and work up the left hand spur of Hill 70 from which the Turks were bringing an enfilade fire to bear on to those ahead on the Hill.

Major Goring accompanied by the Adjutant then proceed onto the Hill and found everything in confusion. The only Officer there was 2/Lt Burrell 2/South Wales Borderers. On the Hill there were about 200 Border Regt, 300  S.W.B and a great many Inniskillings and Yeomanry. The only way to reorganise was to order all S.W.B to the left, all Border to the right and all Yeomanry to collect in the centre. The Inniskillings were ordered back to the support trenches.

Adjutant was sent back to report to the Brigade Major. Colonel Lucas himself came up to the K.O.S.B’s HQ and after consulting with the Officer Commanding on Hill 70m (Major Wilson, Major Goring having injured his eye) and with the Division it was decided to abandon the Hill. Brigade lost altogether about 1100 men.

Battalion lost officers killed 2, missing 1, wounded 9 and about 300 men, mostly missing [including Leonard]. All 4 Company Sergeant Majors were killed.