Leonard Taylor was born in Devonport, Devon on 24 June 1909, the son of Frederick James and Gertrude Taylor (née Hicks). He joined the Royal Navy as an Engine Room Artificer Apprentice on 31 December 1924, and, on completion of his five-year apprenticeship, he was drafted to the cruiser HMS ADVENTURE on 19 September 1929 and served in that ship until 5 September 1930.

He joined submarines as an Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 1 October 1930 and served in HMS L25, HMS OSIRIS (19 October 1931 to 4 April 1934), HMS DOLPHIN, HMS PEMBROKE, and HMS GRAMPUS. By 31 December 1937 he had been advanced to Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class. Leonard Taylor was further promoted to Warrant Engineer on 1 January 1938 and, after post promotion courses, was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN on 6 August 1938 and then to HMS SWORDFISH as Engineering Officer on 19 November 1938. He was awarded the DSC – see London Gazette dated 1 April 1941 ‘for courage and skill in successful attacks on the enemy’ whilst serving in HMS SWORDFISH.

Leonard Taylor was appointed to HMS P222 as Engineering Officer on 15 November 1940 – standing by whilst building at Vickers at Barrow in Furness and on completion. P222 failed to arrive at Algiers on patrol from Gibraltar, possibly sunk by depth charges from Italian Navy ship FORTUNALE off Capri on 12 December 1942.

Leonard Taylor was the husband of Beatrice Mary Taylor (née Liston) of Chatham, and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel No. 66 Column No. 2.