Denis Leonard

Died of Wounds on the 23/08/1915 sustained at Gallipoli

Denis came to Coatbridge as a young man and enlisted naturally in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at the outbreak of war. Denis and his Battalion sailed for Gallipoli on the 11/07/1915 and landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 7th of August. They were part of the 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. Denis was wounded and evacuated to a hospital ship off shore where he died of his wounds. The attack at Chocolate Hill, Gallipoli on the 7th and 8th August 1915 - The first advance and attack made by 31st Brigade included the 6th Royal Inniskillings, the 5th and the 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers and two companies of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The advance took place during early afternoon, the hottest part of the day; the troops struggled through soft mud around the edge of Salt Lake and then across the scrub-covered ground. They were shelled by the Turks as soon as they appeared on the beach and were harassed all the way to their objective - Green Hill and Chocolate Hill, which the enemy were using as artillery observation By 1700 hours they arrived some 300 yards short of the objective where they rested and made final preparations while supporting artillery shelled the Turkish positions. At 1900 hours, when it was almost dark, the men of 31st Brigade, despite their thirst and fatigue, rose and charged up the slopes with bayonets fixed and were on the crest of Chocolate Hill by 2000 hours. Throughout the night, the troops worked at the defences of the hill in preparation for the Turkish counterattacks, while others brought forward food and water. He is also remembered on the St Patrick's Church and Kipps Locomotive Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for Denis' Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his listing on the Ireland Casualties WW1, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Pension Record and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Cap Badge.