Leonard was born in Forest Gate on 4th August 1896 and he attended Ilford County High School between 14th September 1909 and 25th July 1912. He had previously been a pupil at Christchurch Road School, Ilford.
Leonard was the eldest of Alfred and Amy Wheatley’s three sons. His brother’s names were Cecil and Edgar. Edgar attended the School between 1913-17. His family lived at 36 Valentines Road, Ilford. His father, Alfred, worked as a stockbroker’s clerk, selling stocks and shares. Upon leaving school, Leonard also became a clerk, working for Standard Life Assurance. He was subsequently a member of the London Stock Exchange.
In November 1915, Leonard enlisted with the 16th Battalion of Queen’s Westminster Rifles (London Regiment)- service number 4877. He served as a private with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 5th July 1916. He died on 10th September 1916 near Leuze Wood and Combles and was buried in the Combles Communal Cemetery Extension (Grave VI. E. 5).
Research by Andrew Emeny, History Teacher at ICHS
Sources:
Ancestry.com
ICHS school records and magazines
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Note
Ilford County High School started life as the Park Higher Grade School in 1901 in Balfour Road, Ilford. It was renamed Ilford County High School (or initially County High School, Ilford) in the years after the school’s management was transferred from Ilford School Board to Essex Education Committee in 1904.