Leonard Reeve Beechey
Leonard was born on 31st August 1881 at Southwark.
He was a Rifleman (Number 593763), in the18th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles). He died of his wounds on 29th December 1917, aged 36 years. Len Beechey is buried at St Sever Cemetery near Rouen, along with Private Walter Souls – from the Gloucestershire family who also gave five sons.
He attended Christ’s Hospital School, Lincoln and Stamford School. He worked as a clerk for the Railway Clearing House.
Leonard was gassed and wounded at Bourlon Wood. His last words written in spidery handwriting were:
My darling mother, don’t feel like doing much yet. Lots of love, Len.
