IN MEMORY OF
PRIVATE LEONARD DRAKE
Service No: 295327, 2nd/4th Battalion, London Regiment Royal Fusiliers.
Killed In Action 20th September 1917 aged 36
Commemorated on the
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
in Belgium Locality: West – Vlaanderen
Certificate: DRAKE, LEONARD – courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Leonard Drake was born in Chideock in 1881. He is possibly the son of John Drake (born in Barnstaple, Devon) and Elizabeth (born in Chideock). In the
1891 Census he is found to be living with his grandparents William Manning (b:1821) and Teresa Manning (nee Cornick) (born 1823) in Vine Cottage, Duck Street, Chideock, Dorset. His Grandfather’s occupation is listed as Lodging Housekeeper. Also living at the same address are his two aunts Bridget Manning and Mary Manning. In the 1901 Census he is living with his two aunts in Seahill Lane and his occupation is a Grocers Porter. By 1911 he had moved to Epsom, Surrey, his wedding to Hannah H.Clarke being registered at Dorking for the June quarter of that year. As a married couple they set up home at The Nook,Skinners Lane, Ashstead,Surrey,
At the outbreak of WW1 Leonard enlisted in Ashstead for military servcie: first with Bedfordshire Regiment, Service No: 7573, later renumbered 240466 but was reassigned to 4th (City of London) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers as Private 295327. 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers became part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd
Division to serve on the Western Front for the duration of the war. The third Battle of Ypres begain in June 1917and Private Leonard Drake was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Menin Road, his name is inscribed on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Leonard is also commemorated on the Chideock War Memorial.