Private Leonard Tudge

Leonard Tudge was the son of Horace Austin and Elizabeth (Edwards) Tudge, of Coalville, Leicester, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Tudge successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 75 from 26 July to 6 August 1943. His course report stated, “Average Performer”. He was posted to C Company, 12 Platoon, 9th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (‘D’ Day landings), and Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Tudge was wounded on 8 June 1944, following the parachute landings in Normandy, and was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 20, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial near Merr, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 20 March 1947.

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