Soldier Record
William Leo Killeen
Contributed by: Suzanne Killeen, on 2008-11-11
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | William Leo |
| Surname | Killeen |
| Year of Birth | 1889 |
| Year of Death | 1916 |
| Regiment | West Yorkshire Regiment |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Leeds, West Yorkshire |
William Leo's Story
Uncle Leo Killeen was a 26 year old insurance clerk working in Leeds and married with 2 young daughters. On 23rd July 1916 he died on the Somme. He was a dispatch rider and was reportedly blown up, dying instantly.
Thanks to the internet, we have traced his grave to Thiepval, France and visited last year. Until then, my family had been unable to trace him as his body was never found and he was registered as Lee, not Leo.
Another tragic story, for Leo and his family and a shocking waste of life caused by the arrogance of the people in power at the time and senior army officials.All to be repeated 19 years later. May he and all who made those sacrifices rest in peace.
No additional memories have been submitted