Leonard L. Green was born in 1880 in Chesterfield, Derby. At aged 17, he left home and joined the British Army, seeing action during the Boer War. When the war ended, he decided to make South Africa his home, and while living in South Africa, opened a successful Gentleman's Hairdressing business. Becoming homesick for England, he returned in 1916 and settled in Halstead. He married a Halstead girl and with her had two children, Robert and George. He opened another Gentleman's Hairdressing business which was located on Hedingham Road near it's junction with the High Street. (In 2005, this building housed an Antique shop) Widowed in 1924, he married again and with his wife had a daughter, Iris. He lived at 33, Hedingham Road with his family from 1929 until his death from Cancer in September 1945. He is buried in Halstead Cemetery.
Leonard was an active member of the Halstead Conservative Club and on special occasions would entertain by singing popular songs of the day. Leonard was a well read, self educated gentleman and was conversant on many popular topics of the day, gathering with his friends as they discussed various topics from Politics to Religion. Until his death, Leonard was known as "The Mystery Man of Halstead" as he kept his private life extremely private.
Photograph and details kindly supplied by Cathie Williamson-Connor.
