| Eulogy: Page 1 of 2 Leslie Ian Hamilton, 10th January 1916 - 10th November 2002. Leslie was born in Manchester on the 10th January 1916, a son of George and Edith Hamilton. And is survived by his sister Jean In the tradition of his Grandfather and Father before him, he enlisted as a regular soldier, in the British Army. On the 14th February 1933, he joined, The 6th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Leslie then transferred to the Bedford & Hertfordshire Regiment on the 23rd December 1933. He served his Country for over 11 years seeing service in Egypt, India and was posted to Palestine on the 24th November 1939 as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. It had been on a brief return visit to England in 1937, that he met Betty in Ashford and they continued to correspond throughout the early war years, at a time, when contact was often very difficult. Leslie was promoted to Sergeant in the Royal Corps of Signals in 1941. It was in the theatre of war that Leslie suffered a disabling injury that required the amputation of his left leg below the knee. It was at this time, that Leslie and Betty lost contact and they were not re-united until the assistance of The British Red Cross in 1944. Leslie then returned home to England for further medical rehabilitation and discharge from the Army. The post war years were a period turmoil for many people. Leslie lived in London whilst Betty lived in Ashford. Because of his disablement, Leslie was not able to get full permanent employment until the joined the Middlesex County Council on the 15th March 1948 as a Document Repair Clerk. Leslie and Betty married in Lambeth on the 5th April 1952 and only this year celebrated 50 years of marriage. Leslie & Betty are parents to two sons, Paul & Leslie. Page 2 of 2 Leslie was Grandfather to six grand children, Lee, Simon, Holly, Adam, James & Linzi, His son Paul, married Helen, His son Leslie married Vivienne, Leslie thought about all his family each and every day and he loved and cherished them always. In his later career, Leslie joined the staff of the Greater London County Council and in 1964 and was promoted to Assistant Archivist at the Middlesex Guildhall in Westminster. It was there, that Leslie developed a considerable knowledge of the Council records supplemented by both his remarkable memory and a complex series of notes and indexes produced entirely on his own initiative. Leslies� particular concern, was for the Middlesex Sessions Records, a most important set of archives, covering many centuries. His care and diligence will ensure that these records will be available to the nation for many years to come. Leslie retired on the 31st August 1979 after nearly 31 years service. He is fondly remembered by his colleagues, William Smith, Eve Jennings and Richard Samways who are unable to be here today. In quiet retirement, Leslie enjoyed the company of Betty and his family. In his later years, he became increasingly more dependent on those he loved, in particular Betty, whose unfailing devotion to him is an example to us all. Throughout his life, he was of service to his country and was proud, but modest, of what he had achieved. Leslie was always there when Betty or his family needed him. He rarely asked for anything for himself, but always gave generously to his family and friends. It is with these thoughts, that those who are most close to Leslie will remember him now and forever. , November 2002 |