Percy Leonard Hare

Story:
Percy Leonard Hare (aka Leonard Hare) was born at Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 5th September 1893 and baptised there on 31st December 1893, the son of John Hare and Elizabeth Hare (née Trowbridge).  The family lived at Birdbush, Ludwell.  Leonard enlisted on 5th September 1914 and joined the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12788).  He was swiftly transferred to the 6th (Reserve) Battalion of the Leinster Regiment (Service No. 6/1252).   He served in Salonika and Gallipoli from 5 Aug 1915 where, 16 Nov 1916 he was wounded and hospitalized.  After convalescence he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Service No. 48519) and joined the 67th Company.  He was finally demobilized on 2nd April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  His marriage Rose King was registered in Tisbury, Wiltshire, during 1920 and they had one child.  The 1921 Census shows him living at Sands Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, employed as a Painter and Paper Hanger. The 1939 Register Leonard gives his address as Leigh Court, Sands Lane, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, now described as a Painter (Buildings) as well as acting as an ARP Warden.   His death was registered in Mere, Wiltshire, on 1 May 1946 and he was later buried in the village cemetery at Donhead St. Andrew.  His brother, Edgar Hare, also served in the conflict.