Leslie Joseph was born 18th June 1885, at Kossova, Grodno, Russia, to Charles Pearlman, born 1851, [died 1917], picture frame maker, with his wife Rebekah, born 1856, Kossova, Grodno, Russia, who resided at 27 Milton Street in 1911, in South Shields. They had six children, Matthew, born 1891, Lottie, born 1898, Annie, born 1895, Samuel, born 1880 and one other.

From the 1880s through the early part of the 20th century, massive pogroms and the May Laws in Russia caused many Jews to flee the Pale of Settlement. Of the East European Jewish emigrants, 1.9 million (80 per cent) headed to the United States, and 140,000 (7 percent) to Britain. The chief mechanism was chain migration in which the first successful member(s) of the chain send information, local currency (and sometimes tickets or money for tickets) to later arrivals.

In 1901 they were residing at 21 Wharton Street. He was educated at the Union Board School, prior to entering Westoe Higher Grade school for boys on the 4th July 1898. Leslie was a Linen Draper.

He was naturalised as a British subject on the 12th July 1916 at Great Yarmouth.

He enlisted as a Gunner 103803, on the 7th July 1916, and was posted into the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 21st July 1916. He was then at Woolwich from the 15th October 1916. Sent to 2nd Depot on the 18th December 1916. Posted to France on the 25th December 1916. Leslie was in the 21st Heavy Gun Battery.

In 1914 a heavy battery formed part of each infantry division, and 21st Heavy Battery was formed for 21st Division, but in early 1915 these batteries were withdrawn to form Heavy Brigades RGA which were Army Troops. Thus 21st Heavy Battery did not actually serve abroad as part of 21st Division. These brigades, and the similar Siege Brigades, were reorganised in mid 1916 to form Heavy Artillery Groups which had variable compositions. At the end of 1917 the Groups were redesignated Brigades RGA and each had a settled composition from then on.

"The 21st Heavy Battery, RGA [a Battery of 4 60-lbr guns], was raised with the 21st Division but moved to France as part of XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on the 21st August 1915. "

Whilst in France, he was granted leave to the UK, on the 31st May to the 9th June 1917. Leslie was admitted to hospital on the 30th July 1917 and returned to his unit on the 4th August, he again was sick on the 21st October and was admitted this time to the 8th Stationery Hospital at Wimeroux. He was returned to the UK on the Hospital ship 'St Andrew' on the 24th October 1917 with Epilepsy.

He was discharged from the army on the 4th January 1918, age 32 years and 4 months, as physically unfit for active service, K.R. Para 392, xvi part 2(a) suffering from Epilepsy. He was awarded a Silver War Badge nu 298585, on the 2nd February 1918.

Leslie was 5 feet 6 inches tall, Fresh complexion, Grey Eyes and Dark Brown hair. He spent a total of 1 year and 182 days in the Army.

He had a Medical Exam for the purposes of his 'Chelsea' out pension on the 22nd November 1917 to determine his pension.

"Cause of Discharge Physically unfit. Epilepsy. Report of Medical Board (dated 22.11.17). Originated 18 years ago in England. Not caused but aggravated by Military Service. Active service - Constitutional- Permanent Prevents seventy per cent 70%. Out-patient treatment recommended for indefinite period Special Medical Board recommend gratuity under Section 7(2) R.W. the unfitness being neither attributed to nor aggravated by Military Service – Estimated disability 20%.

Leslie died on the 21st December 1971 and is buried at Hazelrigg, North Tyneside.

21st Division