Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Richard Gregory, a railway signalman, born 1835 in Hanslope, Buckinghamshire and baptised on the 10th July 1836 in the Church of St. James the Great, Hanslope (son of William Gregory, 1801-1878 and Mary Panter, 1802-1875) and his wife Elizabeth Gregory (nee Wood, married in the April quarter of 1857 in Islington, Middlesex), a dressmaker, born in the October quarter of 1839 in High Ongar, Essex (daughter of John Wood, 1783 and Letitia (Lettiasia) Baker, 1791). Leonard Samuel, a school boy, was born in the July quarter of 1877 in Little Bowden, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 6th May 1880 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Little Bowden, his siblings were, Anne Elizabeth, a dressmaker, born in the January quarter of 1858, Richard Chinner, a staymaker, born in the April quarter of 1863, Albert Ethen, a staymaker, born in the January quarter of 1865, Oliver Joel, a printer, born on the 29th July 1867, Kate Rebecca Dandridge, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1869 and Flora Harriet, a schoolgirl, born in the October quarter of 1871 and baptised on the 6th May 1880 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Little Bowden, the latter six siblings were all born in Hanslope and Francis Coe Emmanuel, a school boy, born in the January quarter of 1874 in Little Bowden and baptised on the 6th May 1880 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Little Bowden and Frances Maggie, born in the October quarter of 1878 in Little Bowden and baptised on the 6th May 1880 in the Church of St. Nicholas, Little Bowden, in April 1881 the family home was at Northampton Road, Little Bowden.
In April 1891 Leonard was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Granville Street, Little Bowden, together with his father, a butcher and postmaster, his mother and siblings, Flora, a coffee warehouse assistant, Francis, a butcher’s assistant and Frances, a schoolgirl and Leonard’s widowed married sister, Annie Maddock, a general shopkeeper and her children, John Richard Maddock, born in the January quarter of 1886 and Georgiana Gertrude Mary Elizabeth Maddock, born on the 20th July 1887, both children were born in Little Bowden.
In March 1901 Leonard was employed as a journeyman grocer and was residing as a boarder at 10, Wathen Road, Lillington, Warwickshire.
Leonard’s father died aged 68 years in the July quarter of 1903 in Market Harborough.
In April 1911 Leonard was employed as a grocer’s assistant and was residing as a boarder at 21, Bowling Green Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Leonard enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 1st November 1915 in Market Harborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 22437. He gave his age as 39 years 164 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as grocer. He gave his present address as 50, Granville Street, Market Harborough.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Market Harborough on the 27th October 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Little Bowden, Northamptonshire, declared age as 39 years 164 days, trade or occupation as grocer, that he was 5-feet 4½ inches in height, weighed 130 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 30½ and 33½ inches, his physical development was described as poor, may improve, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6. L.E.-V=6. Enlisted at Market Harborough on the 1st November 1915. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 22437.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 39 years 164 days, height 5-feet 0 inches and chest measurement of between 30½ and 33½ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mary Elizabeth Gregory, 50, Granville Street, Market Harborough.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Market Harborough. 1/11/15.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/11/15.
Joined. 10th (2nd Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Details. 1/11/15.
Posted. To Rugeley Camp. 20/11/15.
Discharged recruit within three months of enlistment, considered unfit for service on medical grounds. Para 392 (iii) (c) King’s Regulations 1912. 22/1/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/11/15 – 22/1/16. 83 days.
Total Service. 83 days.
The Proceedings on Discharge that took place in Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire on the 22nd January 1916 recorded the following information. His age was 39 years 8 months, he was 5-feet 4½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 30½ and 33½ inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was dark, his trade or calling was grocer and his intended place of residence was 30, Granville Street, Market Harborough.
He was discharged in consequence of: - being within three months of enlistment considered unfit for service. Paragraph 392 (iii) (c) King’s Regulations 1912.
His Military character was described as: - Good.
His Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulation was: - Good.
The Certificate of Official Discharge was signed in Rugeley Camp, 22nd January 1916.
NOTE: Leonard died, aged 39 years in the January quarter of 1916 in Market Harborough.
[recognitum XXVII-V-MMXXIV]