9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
24/11/1892
Died:
16/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
24
Summary
William Leslie was the son of Moses and Ruth Leslie. William Leslie was born in Castledawson on 24th November 1892. Moses was a farm labourer. William enlisted in Armagh. He was living in Castledawson at the time. Private William Leslie was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) when he was killed in action on 16th August 1917 in Belgium. Private William Leslie has no known grave and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial. It is believed he was the son of Mr Moses Leslie of Derrygarve, who had five sons who served.
Further Information
William Leslie was the son of Moses and Ruth Leslie. Moses Leslie married Ruth Lennon on 20th May 1887 in the district of Magherafelt.
William Leslie was born in Castledawson on 24th November 1892.He was one of nine children, eight surviving.
The 1901 census lists William as age 11, living with the family at house 34 in Tamniarn, Castledawson, County Londonderry. Moses was a farm labourer.
Family: Moses Leslie, Ruth Leslie, Robert Leslie (born 3rd November 1888), Hugh Leslie (born 15th July 1890), William Leslie (born 24th November 1892), Ellen Leslie (born 24th April 1895, died 1st May 1895), James Leslie (born 30th September 1896), Alexander Leslie (born 17th April 1899), Samuel Leslie (born 13th May 1902), Jack Leslie (born 25th November 1904), Adeline Leslie (born 14th November 1906).
The 1911 census does not list William as living with the family at house 34 in Castledawson Town. Moses was working as a labourer.
William enlisted in Armagh. He was living in Castledawson at the time.
Private William Leslie was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) when he was killed in action on 16th August 1917 in Belgium.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd September 1917:
Private William Leslie, missing since 16th August, is a son of Mr Moses Leslie, Castledawson.
Private William Leslie has no known grave and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial. The Memorial to the Missing at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen, Belgium bears the names of many who fell in the battles for Passchendaele and whose bodies were never recovered.
Private William Leslie was one five sons of Moses Leslie of Derrygarve, who served in the war.
All images courtesy of Sam Hudson, Desertmartin. Information provided here is courtesy of the excellent research undertaken by Mr Sam Hudson.
