Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Woodford, an iron stone labourer, born 1865 in Willoughby on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire, and was baptised on the 29th October 1865 in St. Mary and All Saints Church, Willoughby on the Wolds and his wife Hannah Woodford (nee Coy, married in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1865 in Harby, Leicestershire. Leslie was born in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in Harby, his siblings were, Violet Annie, born 1895 and Elsie Elizabeth, born 1898, both his siblings were born in Harby, in March 1901 the family home was at Stathern Road, Harby. In April 1911 Leslie was absent from the family home at 13, Exchange Row, Harby, residing there was his father a retired iron stone worker, his mother and sister Elsie, Leslie was employed as a wagoner and was residing as a servant at Grasscrofts Farm, Kimberley, Nottinghamshire. Leslie was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 20 Sep-16 – REDAN. Battalion Headquarters again heavily shelled during day and early night. Trenches in bad condition owing to rain.
The War Diary records: 21-25 Sep-16 – REDAN. Considerable progress made clearing out and repairing trenches, condition much improved. Enemy artillery les active. 2 Other Ranks wounded.
On Friday October 6th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – HARBY. – MEMORIAL SERVICE. A memorial service was held in the Parish Church last Sunday evening in memory of Private Leslie Woodford of the Royal Sussex Regt., killed in action in --- on Sept. 20th. The bells rung a muffled peal before service, and special hymns were sung, and prayers used. An appropriate address was given by the Rector, and at the close of the service the “Dead March” was played. There were many present to show sympathy to the relatives.