Military History

Leonard is listed as being killed in action on 30 Aug 1918. The war diary for the that day is transcribed below.

30 Aug 1918 at Remy: No orders are received from Brigade until about 10am which say that the battalion is to move forward into assembly position SE of Remy Wood & Village. Coys dribble forward but the movement is observed and the heavy machine gun and artillery barrage is put down. B&C Coys are much disorganised and suffer severe casualties. Lieut A.J. Adams is killed, Capt P H W Hicks MC, Lieut J B Coventry wounded and 2^nd Lt T.F. Hyde gassed.

Power artillery is asked to show opposite bridge and hostile fire is considerably reduced. D Coy ably led by Capt. E.J.A Maunsell MC get into position with only a few casualties. At noon the C.O. is called to another conference at Brigade HQ and receives instructions to attack at 4pm in conjunction with 2^nd Duke of Wellington’s on the right and 11^th Brigade on the left.

Orders are issued but owing to the difficulty of getting hold of Officers (assembly area still being shelled) it is impossible to promulgate these effectively. Capt. E.J.A Maunsell MC takes his Coy and elements of A, B & C forward at the arranged time. They have to cross a stream and swamp, some of the men wading through waist deep mud and water. Line of 2^nd Objective is reached without much opposition on the part of the enemy, a number of whom were shot down as they attempted to run away. Lieut L.J.C. Seaman is killed. Lieut C.W. Rowntree & 2^nd Lt F.G. Kitching are wounded and 2^nd Lt J.E. Hosking gassed.

Owing to delay in crossing river and swamp the artillery barrage get too far ahead. This, in conjunction with shortage of men prevents 3 objectives being taken. Capt W.G.B Edmonds MC collects about 60 stragglers and takes them up to reinforce Capt. E.J.A Maunsell MC who has established a line 100 yards west of the 2^nd Objective & has obtained touch on his right flank with 2^nd Duke of Wellington’s.

At about 6pm a Coy of 2^nd Seaforth Hrs is sent up in support to the Battalion in O.24.b. At midnight orders all received that the battalion is to be relieved by the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders before dawn. The C.O. visits the line, is slightly wounded, but remains at duty. Relief is completed about 4:30am. The Battalion comes back into support in Gory Trench in O.17.a&b. Heavy hostile shelling of Remy Village & Wood.

Lieut E.V. Jones to hospital. END