Leslie Rowsell (1913-1993) [2615719, Lance Corporal, 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]

[Dave Pattern]

• born 23 May 1913 (Selby)
• son of James Arthur Rowsell and Mary Louisa (née Weston) who married 21 December 1912 at St. James, Selby
• married Betty Swales (Q3 1945 Hull)
  • Rosalind Rowsell
  • Lesley Ann Rowsell
  • Elizabeth Rowsell
  • Martin James Rowsell
• died 25 March 1993 (Leicester)

Records:

• PoW Questionnaire (Ancestry):
  • enlisted 16 March 1938
  • captured 6 June 1941 in Crete
  • escaped with three others “a few days before liberation” whilst on a march between camps

Links:

• Ancestry (family tree)

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Bradford Observer (26/Mar/1938):

Seeing the World.

Although he is only 24 years of age, Mr. Leslie Rowsell, son of a Huddersfield clergyman, has already seen far more of the world then the usual person sees in a lifetime.

At an early age he joined the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment as a drummer-boy, and on attaining the age of 16 went to Canada, where he worked on farms for five years. Then he covered the United States of America and Canada with an evangelist as a musician and conducted the musical side of evangelical broadcasts at Cratham, Ontario, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Since then he has worked in a motor factory and in a mill. Now he has come back to England to join the Grenadier Guards.

Huddersfield Examiner (02/Aug/1941):

NEWS OF MEN IN THE FORCES

Crosland Moor Soldier

Official intimation has been received by Mr. James Rowsell, of 5, Moorside Avenue, Crosland Moor, that his son, Corporal Leslie Rowsell, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is missing in Crete.

Corporal Rowsell, who is twenty-seven, was born in Selby, but lived in Huddersfield until about nine years ago, when he went out to Canada. where he became the leader of a broadcasting dance band. Just before the outbreak of war Corporal Rowsell returned to England and joined the Grenadier Guards, but later transferred to the Highlanders, with whom he went out to the Middle East. The missing man has served in Palestine and Egypt, and took part in the Greek campaign.

Huddersfield Examiner (04/Oct/1941):

NEWS OF MEN IN THE FORCES

Crosland Moor Soldier

Notification has been received by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Rowsell, of 5, Moorside Avenue, Crosland Moor, that their son, Corpl. Leslie Rowsell, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is a prisoner of war in Germany. He was reported missing in Crete in July.

Corpl. Rowsell, who is twenty-seven, was born in Selby, but lived in Huddersfield until about nine years ago, when he went out to Canada, where he became the leader of a broadcasting dance band. Just before the outbreak of war Corporal Rowsell returned to England and joined the Grenadier Guards, but later transferred to the Highlanders, with whom he went out to the Middle East. He has served in Palestine and Egypt, and took part in the Greek campaign.

Huddersfield Examiner (01/May/1945):

BACK HOME FROM PRISON CAMPS

Crosland Moor Corporal

Corporal Leslie Rowsell, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, arrived home on Friday night The son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Rowsell, 5, Moorside Avenue, Crosland Moor, Corporal Rowsell was reported missing in Crete in July, 1941, and a few months later news was received that he was a prisoner in German hands. He was in Stalag XLIX.

Born in Selby, Corporal Rowsell lived in Huddersfield until about twelve years ago, when he went to Canada to become leader of a broadcasting band. He joined the Grenadier Guards shortly after the outbreak of war, and has served in Palestine, Egypt and Greece. His younger brother Edward is a midshipman in the R.N.V.R.

Huddersfield Examiner (05/May/1945) – Back Home from Prison Camps

Leicester Daily Mercury (27/Mar/1993):

ROWSELL, Leslie, passed away suddenly on March 25th, 1993. Beloved husband of Betty, loving father of Rosalind, Lesley Ann, Elizabeth and Martin and a much loved grandfather. Funeral service and cremation to be held at Gilroes crematorium on Tuesday, March 30th, at 12.15pm. No flowers by request.

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