Leonard Sparrey, born in Malvern, enlisted under the Derby Scheme at the end of 1915 and was drafted into the 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment. Regimental sources record that he was wounded on the 5th August 1916 and transferred – but on this date nearly all of the unit had been incapacitated by gas, and were recuperating. Those that had not suffered gas poisoning were attached to the 1/7th Worcesters. However on the 23rd September the Malvern News reported that he had been wounded whilst attached to the Lincolnshire Regiment. Several men of the 1/8th went on to serve with the 10th Lincolns, so it is likely Sparrey was attached to this unit. However, when and for how long is not known – for on his recovery he was sent as a draft to the 1st Worcestershire Regiment.

He was posted missing during the last German Offensive of 1918 around Ville-en-Tardenois on the Aisne. The Malvern News reported him missing on the 3rd August 1918.