Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Boulogne Eastern Cemetery | II. A. 16. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.117 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 25A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of Edwin and Henrietta Booth, of Finchley, London; husband of Daisey M. Booth, of 8, Hillside Rd., Bushey, Herts.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 6th Battalion London Regiment (City of London Rifles) |
1/6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles) August 1914 : at Farringdon Road. Part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division. Moved on mobilisation to Bisley, going on in September to Crowborough. 5 November 1914 : moved to Watford and transferred to 4th London Brigade in 2nd London Division. 18 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre. 11 May 1915 : formation renamed 140th Brigade in 47th (2nd London) Division. 31 January 1918 : transferred to 174th Brigade in 58th (2/1st London) Division, absorbed the disbanded 2/6th Bn and renamed 6th Bn. |
| Action : The Battles of Ypres 1915 (Second Ypres) |
22 April - 25 May 1915. On the 22nd April 1915 the Germans used poison gas at Ypres. This was the first 'official' use of gas and took the Allies by surprise. After initial success capitalising on the confusion and horror of this weapon, a heroic stand, initially by the Canadians and then supported by British and Indian Battalions, held the German advance. However it became clear that the Germans had achieved a tactical advantage and eventually the British were forced to retire to more a more defendable perimeter closer to Ypres. These positions were on the last ridges before Ypres and their loss would have resulted in the loss of the town and possibly open the Channel coast to German occupation with disastrous consequences for the re-supply of the BEF.
Hendon & Finchley Times of 4 June 1915 writes: "CAPT. WILLIAM LESLIE BOOTH. Last week it was our painful duty to record the death in action of Corpl. Arthur Maynard Booth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Booth, of 17, Holmwood-gardens, Church-end, Finchley. This week we have an equally painful task in having to record the loss of another son., Capt. William Leslie Booth, of the 6th City of London Rifles, who died in hospital at Boulogne on May 28th, from wounds sustained at Festubert, six days previoulsy. A native of Finchley, the late officer, who was 29 years of age, was for several years captain and adjutant of the King's Royal Rifle Cadet Corps, the efficiency of which was in no small measure due to his keen interest and enthusiasm. On the outbreak of war Captain Booth was transferred to the 6th City of London Rifles and proceeded to France about two months ago. Educated at Merchant Taylors School, he went into partnership with his brother in the firm of W.L. Booth an Booth, chartered accountants, of Finchley, and alos of 125, High Holborn. In sport the deceased officer took a keen interest. He was for several years hon. secretary of the Finchley Manor Football Club." Also recorded in the Shoreditch Observer on the same date.
Detail :
Booth, William Leslie of 6 Cedar Court, Finchley, Middlesex. Captain H.M. Army died 28th May 1915 at the Military Hospital, Boulogne, France. Probate London 3rd December to Daisy Maud Booth, widow. Effects £338 15s 2d.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Sir Francis Burdett No. 1503 E.C. | Middlesex |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
9th November 1910 | 6th April 1911 | 8th November 1911 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley