| Robert Leslie was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Leslie. Thomas Leslie married Lizzie Hudson on 6th December 1877 in the district of Magherafelt.
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| Robert John Leslie was born in the Derrygarve, Bellaghy on 22nd April 1891.
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| Robert John was one of 17 children - Only ten of whom were surviving by 1911.
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| Partial Family: Thomas Leslie, Elizabeth Leslie, Alexander Leslie (born 10th August 1878), Thomas Leslie (born 7th October 1880), David Leslie (born 12th June 1882, died 24th May 1896, age 13), James Leslie (born 1st February 1884, died 24th April 1900, 18?), Samuel Leslie (born 27th January 1886, 29th June 1891, age 5), Elizabeth Leslie (born 27th December 1887), Hugh Leslie (born 27th November 1889), Robert John Leslie (born 22nd April 1891), Susan Leslie (born 10th May 1894).
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| Robert’s mother died on 25th June 1895, aged 42. Robert was just four years old.
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| The 1901 census lists Robert as age 8 living with the family at house 48 in Derrygarve, Castledawson, County Londonderry. His father was a farmer.
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| The 1911 census lists Robert John as age 17 living with the family at house 71 in Derrygarve, Castledawson. Robert and his 72 year old father worked the farm.
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| Robert John Leslie emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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| Prior to enlisting Robert was living at102 Grange Avenue. He was employed as a stationary fireman. His job was to operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes, to operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
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| Robert enlisted on 3rd March 1916 in Toronto. He listed his cousin Thomas Leslie as his next of kin who was living in Derrygarve.
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| Private Leslie joined the 15th Battalion on 28th August 1916. He was part of the 3rd Field Company wiring section.
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| Private Robert John Leslie was serving with the 15th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he entered hospital on the 28th and died of sickness the following day on 29th March 1917, a month before the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He was 25 years old.
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| The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private Leslie died of albuminuria on 29th March 1917 at No 42 Casualty Clearing Station.
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| Albuminuria is a condition of having too much protein in the urine which results from damage within the kidneys. It is usually the result of either long term hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) or hypertension (high blood pressure). When the kidneys are working correctly they filter waste products out of the blood but keep in important elements including albumin. Albumin is a protein which helps to prevent water from leaking out of the blood into other tissues. If high blood sugar levels over a number of years damage the kidneys, they may allow too much albumin to be lost from the blood.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th March 1918:
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| LESLIE – 29th March 1917, at 42 Casualty Clearing Station. France, Private R J Leslie, No 1 Company, 15th Battalion, Canadians, eighth and youngest son of the late Thomas Leslie, Leslie’s Hill, Castledawson.
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‘Soon and forever the breaking of day,
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Shall chase all the night clouds of sorrow away,
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Soon and forever we’ll see as we’re seen,
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And learn the deep meaning of things that have been.
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Where have fightings without us, and fears from within,
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Shall weary no more on the warfare of sin,
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Where life cannot fail and where death cannot sever,
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Christians with Christ shall be soon and forever.
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Soon and forever the fight shall be done
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The warfare accomplished, the victory won;
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Soon and forever the soldier lay down
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Soon and forever the soldier lay down
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His sword for a harp and his cross for a crown.
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His sword for a harp and his cross for a crown.
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Soon and forever the soldier lay down
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His sword for a harp and his cross for a crown.
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| Mrs A H Devlin (Maggie), Loy Terrace, Cookstown
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| Private Leslie is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. The 42nd Casualty Clearing Station was based here in 1917.
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| His father, Thomas Leslie, died a few months later on 15th September 1917, aged 79.
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