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 The Rectory, Bolton Gate, Carlisle, Cumberland.
He had three older brothers, Robert, Maurice and Harold, and an older sister, Mary Freda.
In 1901, he was living at the Rectory with three younger siblings, John Walter, Helen and Mabel, and the family's two domestic servants.
From 1902 to 1911, Leonard was educated at St.Bees School on the Cumbrian coast. As this was 30 miles away from home, he must have boarded.
On leaving St. Bees, Leonard attended 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 served with the Regiment, in France and Flanders, from that date.
He was killed in action, near Mount Sorrel, 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".
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.
2nd Lieut. Leonard Ewbank, 5th Bn. Border Regiment