Leopold Wilms was born in East Melbourne around 1886. At 30 years old he enlisted on 5 April, 1916. At this time he had married Mildred Maud Taylor in 1912 in Victoria. Working as a grazier in the Lilydale area, he lived at Brushy Park, Croydon.

His first month of service was with the FA brigade at Marybrynong. On 20 May 1916 he embarked on the HMAT Medic A7 for the UK. He became a driver for the 23rd Howitzer Brigade, however there is little information in his service record regarding his activities at this time. He was hospitalised for a short time in the UK in September 1916. On the 31 December 1916 he was transferred to France to join the 7th FA Brigade where he served for the next 12 months as a driver. In November 1917 he was again hospitalised this time for an ingrain toe nail. Leave was granted in the UK for a week in August 1917 returning to France to rejoin the 7th FA Brigade where he remained untl April 1919. After returning tLondonfor a short period, he embarked for Australia on the 'Borda' on 27 June 1919. Leopold was discharged from service on 11 August 1919.

In 1924 Leopold an his wife Mildred were living in Surrey Hills and Leopold's occupation remained grazier. By 1928 tey are living in Sydney. Their divorce was finalised in 1928.