Leonard William Durney was the son of Leonard James and Grace Mary Durney, of East Ham, Essex, he enlisted in the General Service Corps, and volunteered for Airborne forces.

Private Durney successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 96 from 16 to 30 December 1943. His course report stated “Above the average in ground work and jumping.” He was posted to C Company, 12 Platoon, 9th (Essex) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Pte Durney was killed in action on 6 June 1944, aged 18, and was given a field burial at Gonneville-sur-Merville and was re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 16 July 1945.

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