Leonard Monk was born to Edward and Minnie Monk on July 1st 1912 In Rendel Road, Custom House, London.
He enlisted in the British Army aged 28 on March 20th 1941 at Pembroke Dock, London after he had been passed fit to serve on 25th of July 1940. Len was married to Gladys Hardy in June of 1937.
His trade on enlistment was a ‘docker’ and at 5′ 6½” he weighed 11 stone 6 pounds.
Len’s service number was: 10540519 and he enlisted in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a ‘driver’ with 3 Medium W/shop COY. Originally known as RAOC, the name changed to REME on 1st October 1942.
Len undertook military training in Newcastle and was later moved to Gosport in Hampshire in preparation for the Normandy invasion. He landed in France in July of 1944.
It is believed that Len within REME supported the British Army moving through France, Belgium and Holland and eventually crossing the Rhine into Germany in 1945. The REME workshop stayed at Diepholz, Walsrode, Verden, Bremen and Hamburg.
Leonard Monk left REME as a Lance Corporal (NCO) on April 26th 1946 in Aldershot No3 MDV Military Dispersal Unit .
For his bravery during his service with REME, Leonard Monk was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) on October 9th 1945
Len also received a letter from Buckingham Palace on March 18th 1947.