Len joined the Army in 1937 and was posted to the 4/7 Dragoon Guards. In March 1938 he was posted to the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, stationed in Egypt at that time.
Len was a very successful boxer and was a member of the Regimental team.
At the outbreak of war, the 8th was plunged straight into the desert battles, and Len was in the thick of it until he was eventually taken, prisoner.
After the cessation of hostilities, he rejoined the 8th KRI Hussars who were in Germany by now.
The Korean war in 1950 saw Len once more sailing into action with his Regiment, as a tank commander in ‘A’ Squadron.
He was unfortunate that he lost his tank, the first Centurion to be lost on active service. He was entirely blameless. The track was thrown and hopelessly jammed, and due to the chaotic situation (described by Major P H V d e Clermont as the Pyongyang Stakes) no cutting apparatus was available, so it had to be blown up.
During the latter part of the Korean campaign, he carried out administrative duties in his usual quiet, cheerful, efficient manner.
After Korea, in Luneburg, he was employed in the Quartermaster’s Department, where again his “unflappability” and cheerful manner stood him in good stead. During this period he was a stalwart and staunch supporter of that excellent 8H Sergeants’ Mess of the middle 1950s.
He enjoyed a joke, and a bit of fun, and was a much-respected member of the mess.
Len was a most loyal, hardworking Regimental soldier, dependable and always around when needed. A quiet man with a dry sense of humour.
In 1958, at the amalgamation, Len decided to call it a day after a long distinguished service. He retired to Leicester, where he worked for the GPO.
His final years were spent happily in the Chelsea Hospital.
