Fireman killed as a result of an air raid on Old Palace School, Bow, E3 on 20 April 1941.
Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Auxiliary Leading Fireman Leonard Roots was born on 16 April 1910 in Beckenham, Kent, the son of Herbert Roots and Elizabeth Emma Tombs née Roots. His father was a Pewterer. The 1911 census shows the family living at 142 Victor Road, Penge, Kent.
In 1936 he married Emily S. Martin in Bromley, Kent and on 4 March 1938 their son, John was born but unfortunately died only four days later on 8 March 1938. The 1939 England and Wales Register shows them living at 10 Avenue Court, Avenue Road, London, S.E.20. and that he was also a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service at the Elmers End Road London Passenger Transport Board Garage, Section No.3 AFS, Beckenham. His normal occupation was shown as a Pewterer. He died when a German bomb landed on Auxiliary Fire Service Sub Station 24U, which was housed in Old Palace LCC School, St. Leonards Street, Poplar, aged 31 years, on 20 April 1941. His death certificate shows that his body was not found until two days later on 22 April 1941. He was buried at Beckenham Cemetery and Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, BR3 4TD.
