Acting Sergeant 1st Bedfordshire Regiment.

Leonard Euinton was born on the 12 September 1888 at 2 Bolton Road, Luton and following school was employed as a Moulder by trade. He married Edith May Elston at St. Mathews Church, Hightown on the 29 October 1910 and resided at 57 Boyle Street, they had one child Ruby Olive who was born 1 February 1913.

Leonard enlisted as a wartime volunteer and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in late 1915. After training he was posted to France as part of the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, part of the 5th Division. He served on the Somme and in late 1916 moved to the Crambrin Sector where he served until his death in March 1917.  

The official War Diary of March 1917 states that in the Cambrin Sector the trenches were in a very bad condition due to frost and rain and that Bosch snipers and trench mortars were very active. The Operations Order No 61 issued on the 12 March states that gum boots will be drawn and put on before proceeding to the trenches and that the trenches are in very bad condition and that greatest precautions must be taken against trench foot.

On the 16 March at about 8pm the enemy attempted a raid on British trenches and it is part of this action that Leonard Euinton was killed along with three other comrades. The official Headquarters report as follows:

REPORT ON ATTEMPTED RAID AT A.28.c.40/45

About 8 pm 16-3-17, enemy opened fire on our front line and support trenches. Two minutes after barrage started, 30-40 enemy were seen trying to get through our wire near BOYAU 5. Our L.G and rifles opened fire and compelled the raiding party to retire.

The Officer on duty in our front line fired two Very Lights (S O S ) towards Company Hd Qts. This signal was not observed at Company Hd. Qts by the sentry on duty or by an officer, who, with others was standing in the look-out on the fire step. This was probably due to the intensity of the flashes from the bombardment.  

As soon as the bombardment started, Bn. Hd. Qts asked the F C O to have Artillery standing-to, and also to retaliate heavily on enemy front line and NO MAN`S LAND which was complied with. The enemy did not enter our trenches.

An officer`s patrol went out and discovered two dead enemy in our wire. One has been brought in; the other is too badly damaged to move. It is thought that there are other dead in front. Our casualties-caused by enemy bombardment are-2 killed and 4 wounded. (This actually resulted in four fatalities, one of which was Leonard Euinton.)    On receipt of your message re expected German raid, all companies stood to, after being warned.

Personel effects taken from the enemy killed are forwarded herewith,including identity disc and pay book and maps.

17.3.17 (Signed) F N Butler, LT Cl. Commanding 1st Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment.

To C.C Bedfordshire Regiment  X1 Corps wire begins:

The Corps Commander wishes his congratulations conveyed to Gen Turner and to C.C; 1st Bedfordshire Regiment on the successful way in which the Battalion dealt with the hostile raid last night.(Mar16/17)        From 15th Infantry Brigade.  

 .