Private Leslie Rodgers

Leslie Rodgers was the son of John and Mabel Mary Rodgers, of Sheffield.

He intially served in The Yorks and Lancs Regiment during World War II and volunteered for service in The Parachute Regiment.

Leslie qualified as a military parachutist on Course 136, which ran at RAF Ringway from 2 to 15 October 1944 and subsequently served with the 13th Parachute Battalion.

He fought with the Battalion in the Ardennes during the Winter of 1944-45, took part in Operation Varsity, the Rhine Crossing, in February 1945 and the subsequent advance into Germany, when he was killed.

Pte Leslie Rodgers died on 3 April 1945, aged 19 years, and is now buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.

Cemetery photograph courtesy of CWGC.