When WW2 broke out, Leonard like his 2 older brothers went to sign up to defend their country. Both Older brothers, Jessie and Ernest were immediately signed up and sent to fight for their country which they did with Pride but my Dad was turned down. He was told he couldn't sign up because as a fireman he was needed here. He was devastated that he couldn't join his brothers. He felt he had let down his country, a feeling which stayed with him his whole life.