Leonard Davies was killed in action on this day in 1917

Leonard Davies was born in Forest Hill, London 7 July 1882, the son of the Reverend Owen Davies of Newly and Alice (née Hollingdrake). He was one of ten children.

At the 1891 Census, his parents, ten children, a general servant and nursemaid were living at the Wesleyan Parsonage, Lewisham.

A decade later at the 1901 Census, the family were living at 4 Church Street, Southport, Lancashire. Leonard was still a student, while his older sisters were variously teaching, a governess or an art student.

Educated at Truro and Harrogate Colleges, Leonard graduated with a BA from London and then went to teach at Hymers College, Hull. He then went up to Queen’s College, Oxford where he gained a First in moderations, won a scholarship and continued to complete an MA in Literae Humaniores. After this he joined the staff of St Edward’s School, Oxford as a Classical Master.

Leonard joined the army in July 1915 and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade that October and took part in the Battle of the Somme.

On 3 June 1917 he was killed at Wancourt while commanding a company and is commemorated on The Wancourt Road Cemetery No. 2 Memorial Panel in London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse.

The Warden of his old school wrote:

‘A fine character, a loyal colleague, a faithful friend he indeed was. We thank God that he was given to us for a time; never shall we forget him’. 

At the time of his death is mother was living in Wendover, Bromley, Kent,

Lieutenant Leonard Davies 9th (Service) Bn, The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own)