Leonard Frank Cecil Arnold

Story:
Leonard Frank Cecil Arnold was born on 6th November, 1897 in Bulford, Wiltshire, and baptised there on 5th December, 1897. He was the son of Rev. Cecil North Arnold, a Clergyman, and Sarah Alice Arnold (née Seary). At the time of the 1911 Census he was a boarder at Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, Surrey, whilst the rest of the family were living at The Vicarage, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire, where Leonard's father had become Rector. Leonard had joined the Public Schools Battalion as Bugler when attending Cranleigh School but he later enlisted on 21st November, 1914 and joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman (Service No. Z/920). He was transferred back to the Public Schools (Hawke) Battalion, 'D' Company which eventually became part of the London Regiment. During his time in the military he had many medical problems and was frequently invalided home for treatment but eventually on 19th December 1916 he was well enough to take up a temporary commission as 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd London Regiment attached to the 82nd Punjabis in India. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in an attack on the enemy on 2nd July, 1918, as well as being Mentioned in Despatches. There are unsubstantiated comments on his medal roll that he was appointed a 1st Lieutenant or even Captain - but these might have been field appointment only. He was killed in action at Palosena, Waziristan, on 21st December 1919, and buried in Jardola Cemetery No. 6, India. Other than the Military Cross he was awarded the Victory, British war and 1915 Star medals. His name is remembered on the Delhi War Memorial (India Gate) (Face 23), and on the Cranleigh School Roll of Honour. He is remembered locally on the Ebbesbourne Wake War Memorial.  His brother, Basil Wilfred Henry Arnold, also served but with the Royal Air Force and survived the conflict.