Leonard Patrick Vernon MC was killed in action on this day in 1917

Leonard Patrick Vernon was born Wrexham, Denbighshire 23 September 1894, the son of Captain William Henry Vernon (a retired army officer and businessman) and Elizabeth (née Sweeney).

Leonard was educated at Grove Park School, Wrexham.

At the 1911 Census, age 16, he was living at home (7 Fenton St, Rochdale) with four of his five brothers and a live in domestic servant. He was working as a bank clerk. Two sisters had died at birth.

Leonard joined the Manchester University OTC in 1913 and volunteered for active service at the outbreak of war. He enlisted in the 20th Battalion (Public Schools) The Royal  Fusiliers. He obtained his commission on 14 August 1915 and was gazetted 2nd. Lieut. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

He served in France and Flanders from March 1916 and took part in operations on the Somme during August of that year, when he was awarded the M.C. "for conspicuous gallantry in the field".

In the middle of May 1917, the Battalion spent 4 weeks in billets at Berlencourt, west of Arras, training, bathing and on church parades. On 12 June, they took over trenches at Monchy and, on the 14th, took part in an attack capturing several trenches from the Germans. Despite fierce counter-attacks, they continued to hold them. The Germans shelled the trenches over the next few days.

Leonard was killed in action at Infantry Hill (Hill 100), Monchy-le-Preux, south-east of Arras, on 18 June 1917 while in command of an advanced position. He was buried in Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt.

His Commanding Officer wrote:

"I cannot tell you what a loss his death is to the Regiment. One of the oldest members of the Battalion, he had been in every fight, and had never failed to cover himself with distinction. He was, I think, the coolest man under fire that I have ever met."

Lieut. Leonard Patrick Vernon M.C. 10th (Service) Bn. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers