810316^[1] Staff Sergeant/Colour Sergeant Leonard Burrow was born 6 Dec 1914 son of John Burrow and Florence Burrow (née Newell) in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

The 1921 census records show he was aged 6yrs 6months and the family was living at 34 Vinery Place, York Rd, Leeds in June 1921.

In early 1942 Leonard married Mary Booth in Leeds, Yorkshire. 1939 Mary Booth

Leonard's military career began in 1931, long before the outbreak of World War 2 and spanned many decades, when he joined the Territorial Army, serving with the 90^th Field Regiment; in 1942 he joined the Parachute Regiment, soon joining the 11^th Battalion; in 1944 he transferred to the 3^rd Battalion; and in 1944 transferred to 10^th Battalion and was finally demobilised in 1946. However, his military career did not end but continued for many more years, one of the recognitions of his achievements being his award of Coronation Medal 1953.

However, the greatest recognition of his military career may best be described as follows:

BURROW first joined the Territorial Army in 1931 where he served with the 90th Field Regiment until he transferred to the Parachute Regiment in 1942.

He soon became a Platoon Sergeant in the 11th Battalion and served with them in North Africa and through the Arnhem operation. This Battalion was disbanded and BURROW was transferred to the 3rd Battalion. He was promoted to Colour Sergeant and after the European War finished volunteered to stay on for an extra year and to go with the Battalion to the Far East. He finally went to Palestine with the 3rd Battalion and was demobilised at the end of 1946.

BURROW is a first class TA soldier, hardworking who gives of himself unstintingly, cheerful and under all conditions, an inspiration to the young soldier and a most reliable and loyal non-commissioned officer.

Over and above all that is demanded of him in his Military Capacity, BURROW can be relied on to support any Battalion activity, to run socials for the good of the unit, and to be the first to volunteer for a duty whatsoever it may be.

He typifies the spirit of the Territorial Volunteer and as such is strongly recommended for this award.
Citation For The Award of British Empire Medal by Lt. COL. E.L. RICHARDS MBE. MC. TD. 5 February 1959

Leonard was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service on 13^th June 1959.

We don't know much about Leonard's personal life after he was demobilised, other than he died on 17^th May 1982 in Scarborough, Yorkshire.

We are still researching the life of Staff Sergeant/Colour Sergeant Burrow. If you are a relative or have any information about him, please contact us.