Leslie Benjamin Newson was born on 30 August 1919 at 24 Harvard Road, Lewisham, London, the youngest of the five children of George Newson (1885-1963) and Elizabeth Newson née Greenaway (1888-1926). His birth was registered on 30 September 1919 in the Lewisham Registration District, London and on his birth certificate his father was described as a journeyman house decorator and army pensioner.
On 19 September 1919 he was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church, 346 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13, where in the baptismal register it was confirmed his family was living at 24 Harvard Road, Lewisham and that his father was a painter and decorator.
In the 1921 census he was shown as aged 1 year, 10 months and living in two rooms at 24 Harvard Road, Lewisham, with his parents and four siblings: Sidney George Newson (1911-1964); Stanley Thomas Newson (1913-1995); Doris Rose Newson (1915-1998) and Annie Elizabeth Newson (1917-2005). His father described himself as a general labourer employed by Sir R McAlpine, contractors, at Bellingham Estate, SE London. His siblings were all shown as in whole-time education.
Electoral registers in 1924 show his parents still listed at 24 Harvard Road, London, SE13.
His mother died on 3 April 1926 at 12 Rangefield Road, Catford, London and his father is shown listed there on the 1926 electoral register. His father was remarried in the 1st quarter of 1928 in the Bromley Registration District, Kent (now Greater London) to a Maude Elizabeth Flynn (1890-1972)
During World War Two he served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, service number 891345. He was posted to 152 Field Regiment on 20 October 1943 and to 68 Field Regiment on 9 November 1945. On 12 June 1946 he was released and placed in the Territorial Army Reserve. He was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945 that were sent on 3 February 1949 to his home at 231 New Cross Road, London, SE14.
In the 1945 and 1946 electoral registers he is listed at 203 Moorside Road, Bromley, Kent (now Greater London).
After the war he married Helen McEwan Forsyth Wallace (1923-2002) and electoral registers from 1947 to 1960 list him and his wife at 231 New Cross Road, London, SE14. They had two children: Sandra E. J. Newson (b.circa 1949) and Diana L. Newson (b. circa 1955).
Electoral registers in 1963 show him and his wife at 7 Erica House, Cranfield Road, London, SE4 and from 1967 at 24 Palm Tree House, Barlborough Street, Lewisham.
He was the driver of the train involved in the Moorgate tube disaster in which he died, aged 55 years, on 28 February 1975. His body was in the . His death was registered on 28 April 1975 in the London City Registration District. His cause of death, following an inquest, was recorded as 'Shock from multiple injuries - accidental'.
Probate records confirm that his address had been 24 Palm Tree House, Barlborough Street, Lewisham and that when administration of estate was granted on 13 June 1975 his effects totalled £3,265.
He is shown as 'NEWSON, LESLIE' on the Moorgate tube disaster memorial in Finsbury Square, London, EC2.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them