Leonard Ewbank was killed in action on this day in 1916.
Leonard was born at Mealsgate, Carlisle on 16 Feb 1893. His parents were the Rev John Ewbank and Julia Helen (née Benson) of Bolton Rectory, Mealsgate, Carlisle, Cumberland.
In 1901 he was living at the Rectory, Boltons, Cumberland with his three siblings and two servants.
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. He was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in 5th Battalion Border Regiment in January 1915.
He was killed in action on the night of 23 February 1916.
Leonard was buried 'in the Field Cemetery, north-west corner of Zillebeke Lake' which is now Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm).
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
His younger brother John Walter Ewbank (born 18 May 1896, enlisted 14 October 1914) was killed in action on 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.