Leonard was educated at the Myrtle Bank United Methodist School. He had been employed as a weaver at Messrs. Cowpe’s Hargher Clough Mill. He entered the war in Egypt on 11th August 1915. He was onboard H.M. Transport Ship 'Royal Edward' when it was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-14. He was the son of Mr and Mrs A Starkie of 9 Herbert Street, Burnley, Lancashire.