Born at Bray, near Maidenhead.
He was baptised at Bray parish church on the 9th of March 1834, the son of Simon Wilder, a fisherman from Maidenhead, and his wife Sarah (nee Allen).
1841 Census
Taplow, Bucks.
Simon Wilder, 45, Fisherman.
Sarah, 15.
Anthony, 11.
Leonard, 7.
James, 5.
Lewis.
Joshua, 2.
See the record of his brother,1445 Anthony Wilder, 11th Hussars for further details of their family background etc.
Enlisted into the 13th Light Dragoons at Westminster on the 29th of January 1851. Regimental No. 1428.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Labourer.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Grey eyes. Lt. brown hair.
1851 Census
Piershill Barracks, Leith, Midlothian
Leonard Wilder, 19, Private Soldier, born Maidenhead.
Transferred to the 11th Hussars on the 1st of November 1851, "by Authority of the Horse Guards, dated the 28th of September 1851".
There is no indication in the 13th Light Dragoons musters of the reason for this; they merely state "Attestation papers forwarded to 11th Hussars". But with the addition on his documents of the authority for this, this was most probably in order for him to serve with his elder brother.
At Scutari from the 31st of October 1854.
Invalided to England from Scutari on the 27th of March 1855.
Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 4th of December 1855:
"Rendered unfit for further service from Cardiac Disease of 3 years standing aggravated by conditions in front of Sebastopol."
Served 4 years 193 days.
Conduct: "good". Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Granted a pension of 6d. per day, "conditional", from the 2nd of September 1856 to the 14th of September 1858, when it was made 6d. per day for 6 months, "final".
Entitled (according to the medal rolls) to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma and Sebastopol.
His name appears on the 1877 list of members of the Balaclava Commemoration Society but not on the 1879 revised list.
Marriage registered
Leonard Wilder married Harriett Westaway, March Quarter 1869, Hastings.
1871 Census
3, Lansdowne Terrace East, Hove.
Leonard Wilder, 37, Lodging House Keeper, born Bray.
Harriett Wilder, 37, born Paignton.
incl nephew and 1 servant.
Death registered
Harriett Wilder, aged 44, June Quarter 1877, Steyning.
1881 Census
Green Dragon, Bridge Street, Bray
The 1881 Census Return shows him as unmarried, a Boarder, a Pensioner, Balaclava Charge (Army) [sic], aged 47, born at Bray, Berkshire.
Death registered
Leonard Wilder, aged 57, March Quarter 1891, Cookham.
Additional Census information for 1841, 1851, 1871 and 1881, and details of a number of registrations of marriages and deaths kindly provided by Chris Poole.