Leon was born on 20 January 1920 in Hackney, London to Hyman, who was born in Belarus, and Polish born mother Dora nee Cinnamon and he had five older sisters. Hyman and Dora travelled to England and settled in Hull where they were married in 1908. They first two girls were born in Hull and then the family moved to London. In 1921, Hyman ran a family greengrocers business from their home at 62 Stoke Newington Road in Islington. Leon trained as an accountant and was living with his parents at 52 Woodfield Way, Wood Green before he enlisted into the Army. He was sent to fight in Malaya but was captured by the Japanese and sent to No 4 Camp at Kanchanaburi. His Army records state that he died whilst a POW.