John Leslie was a son of Robert and Margaret Leslie. John was born on 1st February 1893 in Castledawson, Magherafelt. The family moved to Antrim around 1898. His father was a linen weaver. Both John and his sister, like their father, were employed as linen weavers. Private John Leslie was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders when he was killed in action in France on Saturday 25th September 1915. By 1916 the family have moved back to Magherafelt.
Further Information
John Leslie was a son of Robert and Margaret Leslie. John was born on 1st February 1893 in Castledawson, Magherafelt.
The family moved to Antrim around 1898. His father was a linen weaver.
The 1901 census lists John as age 7 living with the family at house 13 in Townparks, Antrim Town.
Family: Robert Leslie, Margaret Leslie, Moses Leslie (born 8th January 1888, Magherafelt, died 23rd May 1891, age 3), Robert Leslie (born about 1891, Magherafelt), John Leslie (born 1st February 1893, Magherafelt), Mary Leslie (born 15th June 1895, Magherafelt), Sarah Leslie (born 19th October 1897, Magherafelt), Margaret Leslie (born 24th May 1899, Antrim), William Leslie (born 30th April 1901, Antrim), Eva Leslie (born about 1905, Antrim).
The 1911 census lists John as age 18 living with the family at house 76 in Riverside Street, Antrim Town. Both John and his sister, like their father, were employed as linen weavers.
By 1916 the family have moved back to the Magherafelt area.
Private John Leslie was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders when he was killed in action in France on Saturday 25th September 1915.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 23rd October 1915:
Rev William Crawford, chaplain of the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in France, notifying Mr Robert Leslie, Main Street, Castledawson, of the death in action of his son, Private John Leslie, says:-
He was killed in action on 25th September. His loss is keenly felt in the battalion, for he was not only a good soldier, but bore a very high character. I wish to convey to you my own sympathy and the deep sympathy of the battalion.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd October 1915:
Leslie 25th September, killed in action in France, Private John Leslie, 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, second son of Robert Leslie, Castledawson, aged 22 years. A brother true, a soldier brave, Sleeps peacefully now in a heros grave.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th November 1915: Private John Leslie
Private John Leslie, Seaforth Highlanders, son of Mr Robert Leslie, Castledawson, who was killed in action in France. Private Leslie was 22 years of age.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th February 1916:
A comrade of the late Private John Leslie, 8th Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action in France, has just forwarded to his parents in Castledawson his pocket book. The writer, in a sympathetic letter, tells how Private Leslie died and how he assisted at his burial.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 30th September 1916:
LESLIE In affectionate remembrance of Private John Leslie, 8th Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action at Loos, 25th September 1915.
And they who lived with their Leader, has conquered in the fight,
Forever and forever, are clothed in robes of white.
Inserted by his father, mother brothers and sisters, Castledawson, September 1915.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st October 1918:
LESLIE In loving memory of Private John Leslie, Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action in France, 25th September 1915.
** was hard, we felt it much
** will it must be done
** manly heart he did his part,
** beloved son
** mid din of battle,
** the cannons roar,
** to clasp his loving hand
** in brighter shore.
** by sorrowing father, mother, ** brothers, Leitrim, Castledawson
Private John Leslie has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. The memorial forms the sides and back of Dud Corner Cemetery. It commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay. Loos-en-Gohelle is a village five kilometres north-west of Lens in France.
The CWGC record Private John Leslie was the son of Robert and Margaret Leslie of Leitrim, Castledawson, Londonderry..
