Leonard James Keyworth

Leonard James Keyworth VC (12 August 1893 - 19 October 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 21 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 24th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25/26 May 1915 at Givenchy, France, after a successful assault on the German position by the battalion a bombing attack was launched in the course of which 58 men out of 75 became casualties. During this very fierce encounter Lance-Corporal Keyworth stood fully exposed to the enemy for two hours on the top of their parapet and threw about 150 bombs amongst the Germans who were only a few yards away.

He was killed in action, Abbeville, France, on 19 October 1915.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Corporal.

The medal

This medal is currently in a private collection.