B64519 Rifleman Leonard Richard Cole was born on 22 April 1922 in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Richard Walter Cole and Amelia Agnes Nye. He had one younger brother. Cole was educated at Rose Avenue and Dufferin schools. He left after two years of high school at age 16.

Cole was single and working as a labourer at the Pure Cold Chocolate Company when he enlisted in Toronto with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada on 26 May 1941.

After training as a reinforcement in Brantford and Camp Borden, he arrived in England in December 1941 and joined the Regiment where he continued his training.

Rifleman Cole landed with C Company on Juno Beach on D-Day 6 June 1944 but was killed in action during the battle for Le Mesnil Patry on 11 June 1944, aged 22.

He is buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference IV. B. 13.

Cole left his estate to his mother which included a $630 war gratuity.