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Leslie was a pilot flying Lancaster Bombers in 12 and 626 Squadrons, based at Wickenby Airfield, Lincolnshire.

He presented Stockport Libraries with a four page letter describing some of his wartime memories to a friend and we have selected some extracts which are posted up here.

Leslie mentions Freddie Boyd "He was my best friend when I was about 17/18. On receiving our call-up papers, we travelled to Carlisle. He to join the Army and myself the R.A.F. We went by rail in the morning intending to spend our last peacetime day together, only to find the MPs were rounding up Army recruits and taking them straight to the Castle. No-one was waiting for R.A.F. volunteers, so Freddy and I embraced, shook hands and with tears in our eyes parted (we never met again). Although I did receive an airmail letter from Burma once, thanking me for being kind to his wife and baby son and urging me to "give the enemy hell". He was a quiet and gentle person in peacetime, but the terrible times our boys suffered in Burma made him realise we must not be defeated.....He was no gung-ho warmonger, neither were my crew and most servicemen I met. I still exchange notes with Joe (his son) and his daughter."

"As to the war 1939-1945, the author of one (book) summed up my own thoughts i.e. "My best memories were ordinary men accepting their cause and duty and steeling themselves to war. Behaving without greed, lies or calculated ambition in near perfect comradeship. Extraordinary men"

Leslie goes on to describe reunions that he attended at Wickenby Airfield in Lincolnshire.
" I flew with 12 and 626 Squadrons from Wickenby Airfield. 12 Squadron are still flying - they were in the Iraq/Gulf conflict early this year (2003).
I have attended many squadron reunions since the war. I was there again last year. I hope to be taken there again this September. We hold a church service beside the memorial we erected on the airfield many years ago. The last serviceable Lancaster bomber flies very low over us with 2/3 Tornado fighters from 12 squadron which is now located at Conigsby (near Lincoln) and only a few miles away.
Wickenby is now used for private licence instruction and some freight service to the Continent. Our original control tower is still in use after some renovation. After the war the airfield was disused. I lived in Lincoln and Gainsborough nearby for 7/8 years after the war. I visited the airfield sometimes and, especially at dusk, there was a strange compelling aura all around. You couldn't see or hear anything but there was this profound feeling and atmosphere that haunted you.
At first there were many, many hundreds of people at the reunions. Last year there was about 150/200 including locals - such is life.
Over 1000 airmen died from 12 and 626 Squadrons during the war. Perhaps it doesn't seem many, but the Bomber Command suffered well over 50% losses"

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