Name
Leslie Herbert Routledge
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/05/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
1951
London Regiment *1
1st/12th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 54.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of William Stephenson and Clara Louisa (nee TEBBS) ROUTLEDGE of Watford.
His parents married 13 June 1885 at St George’s, Tufnell Park, London. Clara died 1932 in Watford aged 76, and was buried 9 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; William died 2 December 1938 in Watford aged 87, and was buried 6 December, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Leslie was born 15 July 1893 in Watford, and baptised 3 September 1893 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He attended first Sotheron Road Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School, Watford, from 18 January 1900 to 1 August 1901; then Watford Grammar School from 3 September 1901 to December 1909; and finally the University of London, Strand. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a student aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at the outbreak of war in London, and went to France in December 1914. Wounded 8 May 1915 and reported missing, presumed killed in action.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 24 December 1914.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“ROUTLEDGE, LESLIE HERBERT. School period: September, 1901, to December, 1909. Rifleman, 12th London Regiment. Enlisted at outbreak of war and went to France in December, 1914; wounded, 8th May, 1915, and reported missing, presumed killed.”
Unfortunately, Leslie’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment (The Rangers).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
