Leonard's Story.
Leonard was born in St. Peter's Parish, Chester in 1891, the son of William and Elizabeth Snelson. Leonard had two older sisters Alice & Marjorie and two younger sisters, Hilda, and Constance. He was educated at the British School at Broughton, and then at Cathedral School, Chester. He then gained a scholarship to the Technical School, Grosvenor Road. He was a chorister at St. Paul's Church, Broughton. Leonard entered the Civil Service at age 17 years and joined the Audit and Exchequer Offices, Whitehall. He later worked at the Accountant General Offices, London. He was a member of the Canon Morris's Church and Choir, later joining the choir and Church of the Holy Ascension, Balham. Leonard was an honorary member of the Chester Glee Club and was a Freeman of the City.
Leonard attested to the Army 9 September 1914 and was posted to the 2nd Rifle Brigade in France, June 1915. Enlistment documents show him as 5'3'', 110 lbs., hazel eyes, and brown hair. He was received wounds to buttock and left leg 28 August 1916, near to Hulluch.
He was transferred to Hollymoor Hospital in Birmingham for a three-month recovery from his wounds. Leonard returned to France 2 March 1917 and re-joined his battalion on the 24 March.
The 2nd Rifle Brigade, as part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division, attacked on July 31, 1917, the first day of the Battle of Third Ypres, (Passchendaele). The 2nd Rifle Brigade went forward at Zero Hour 3:50 a.m. with the 25th Brigade and was able to reach the Hanebeek Wood but was unable to hold this position and withdrew to a position known as Kit and Kat north of the village of Westhoek. At some point during the fighting Leonard was killed in action. His body was never recovered, and he has no known grave. Leonard is commemorated at the Menin Gate on the outside south panel.
