LEONARD, Percy

Percy Leonard was the son of Mr and Mrs Henry Leonard of Two Gates, Cradley and he attended Colley Lane C of E School. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1912 and, when war began, enlisted in the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade and joined the 2nd Battalion. They arrived on the Western Front in April 1916 and fought on the Somme, taking part in the big attack of the 25th September. In 1917 they were at Messines Ridge and helped to achieve a major victory. Private Percy Leonard was seriously wounded in this attack and was sent to a base hospital near Boulogne. He died of enteric fever on the 16th July and is buried in Wimereux Cemetery (II O 1A). He is commemorated on the New Zealand National and Cradley Memorials.