Lance Corporal Charles O Leslie

On completing his full time national service with the 42nd Field Rgt RA in 1950, Charles Leslie was posted to the 593 HAA Regt RA TA, which was based in Harrow. A month later he transferred to 11 Para Bn TA, which was based in the Drill Hall in Whitefriars Avenue, Wealdstone, Harrow, not far from where he lived. Completing his national service in March 1951, he signed up with 11 Para initially for four years but stayed with the Battalion until until it was redesignated 8th Bn Middlesex Regt TA in 1956.  He left the Territorial Army in 1958.

He completed his parachute training in May 1951 and attended the annual camps.  In March 1954 he attended a Heavy Drop course at the AATDC and in May the same year he was promoted to lance Corporal.  In 1952 we won a shooting medal which is inscribed "11th Bn Para M - WT Meeting 1952 - Pte C Leslie"

He died of a heart attack on 1st March 1975.  He  was a keen photographer and left a number of photos of his time with 11 Para. A selection of his photos covering his national service and his time in 11 Para can be seen at

https://www.historypin.org/en/national-service-c1950/geo/52.068635,-0.608741,11/bounds/51.957275,-0.756713,52.179718,-0.460769/paging/1

Or go to https://www.historypin.org/en/collections  and search for National Service c1950