Edwin Thornton Leslie
Edwin was born on Lot 16 Concession 4, Esquesing on May 13, 1892 to John Lyon Leslie and Mary Thornton. Edwin graduated from Georgetown High School in 1905 and was subsequently employed at a local bank as a clerk. At the time of his enlistment on January 14, 1916 he reported that his address was Georgetown, his religion was Presbyterian, he belonged to the 20th Halton Rifles and had spent 5 years as a bandsman. Edwin signed a Will in August 1916, leaving his personal estate to his mother and traveled to England shortly after. Following three weeks at the Canadian Military School at Shorncliffe he proceeded overseas to France, leaving the 164th Battalion for the 38th. Two months later saw Edwin reported wounded and gravely ill from multiple gunshot wounds to his leg and buttock, received in action on the Somme. Seven days later Lieutenant Edwin Leslie was dead. John and Mary did not yet know that they had lost their son.
Edwin was buried at Cimetiere Saint Sever, France.
Lieutenant Edwin Leslie is commemorated at Georgetown High School, the Georgetown Cenotaph, Remembrance Park and on a Memorial Plaque and the Honour Roll at Knox Presbyterian Church 116 Main St. S., Georgetown.
Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. *Information taken from Canadiangreatwarproject.com and Ancestry.ca
