23 February 1916 : 2nd Lieut. Leonard Ewbank. 5th (Territorial) Bn The Border Reg

Leonard Ewbank was born at Mealsgate, Carlisle on 16 Feb 1893

Location of the hamlet of Mealsgate, west of Carlisle in the far north west of England (cc OpenStreetMap)

His parents were the Rev John Ewbank and Julia Helen (née Benson), of Bolton Rectory, Mealsgate, Carlisle, Cumberland.

Bolton Oldgate Rectory. Cumbria courtesy of Tripadvisor

1901 living at the Rectory, Boltons, Cumberland with his three siblings and two servants. 

St.Bees School, Cumbria

Leonard was educated at St.Bees School, 1902-1911, and Queen’s College, Oxford where he was a senior member of the O.T.C. Gazetted 2nd Lieut in 5th Bn Border Regt. Jan 1915.

He was killed in action on the night of 23 February 1916. 

He is buried in the Field Cemetery, north-west corner of Zillebeke Lake. The St Bees School Magazine reported that ‘he was a Cumbrian of the very best type - straight, clean living, loyal, thorough, with a reserve of power and latent force of character which surprised even those who knew him best.’ 

Remembered by St. Bees School

Younger brother John Walter Ewbank born 18 May 1896, enlisted 14 October 1914, killed in action 30 November 1917 and recommended for a posthumous V.C.

A further two brothers fought during the war.

Sources: De Ruvigny’s, Wigton Advertiser 17 May 1916. The Scotsman 1 March 1916.