Leonard Sprosen was the son of Harry Lionel Sprosen and Annie Sprosen (nee Bastings). Harry Sprosen was a prominent Dunedin identity and for over 50 years his pharmacy in the Octagon was known as Sprosen's Corner. He (Harry) was a son of Henry Sprosen who emigrated from England to take part in the Central Otago gold rush in the 1860s.

Len attended Union Street School, Selwyn College and Otago Boys High School in Dunedin before enlisting at the age of 20.

He is described in the Defence Department records as being 5ft 10 inches and 140 lbs when he enlisted. Chest measurements were 32 inches (minimum and 35 inches (maximum. He was considered to have good eyesight and to be physcially fit. He had brown hair, a fair complexion and grey eyes.

After training in New Zealand he served in Ismailia from August 1918 until he embarked on the Kaikorua on 6 March 1919 for New Zealand.

He was part of the 38th Reinforcements to leave New Zealand

During his service he lost four days pay as a punishment for being absent without leave in June 1918. It appears that he overstayed his home leave before departure for Egypt.

His total service was one year and 139 days and was discharged due to illness contracted on active service.

After returning from active service he joined the National Bank and after his marriage to Muriel Bennetts was transferred to Blenheim. He spent his entire career with the bank moving to Christchurch and finally back to Dunedin.

He is survived by two sons, Jack Fredrick Sprosen of Auckland and Derek James Sprosen of Dunedin. AWMM