Home  Site Map  Source Page

The War Years

Leslie’s home in Victoria Dock Road, Custom House, was destroyed in a bombing raid in 1940, the same night as his Uncle Walter’s family who lived close by. Both families found accommodation at 133 Elthorne Park Road, Ealing from where Leslie travelled daily to his new job at Woolwich Arsenal’s outpost at Green Street Green. He was engaged in the design of lightweight hand grenades. The Arsenal failed to correctly submit his ‘reserved occupation’ status to the authorities as a result of which his mother had a visit from a policeman and an accusation of being a deserter. Leslie had in fact already applied to join the RAF and the policeman’s visit swiftly led to it being accepted. The house in Ealing remained the home of Walter’s daughter Iris until her death in 2005.
Woolwich Arsenal
Woolwich

Design Department,
ROYAL ARSENAL The Grange
WOOLWICH, SE18 Knockholt, Kent
14.2.1941

This is to certify that L. R. Knight has been employed —— years Nine months in this Department as a Junior Draughtsman and during that period
conduct has been Very Good
His timekeeping has been Very Good
abilities are Very Good

He has now been discharged in consequence of being called out for military Service.
Any further particulars concerning him may be obtained from the Design Department, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18 The Grange, Knockholt, Kent.

This document is not a voucher of identity.

W.J Waters
Administrative Officer
Design Department, Woolwich.
RAF Recruitment
Cardington

BY REGISTERED POST

Reference:- 2RC/1215/14/137. No. 2. Recruit Centre,
Royal Air Force,
Cardington
Bedford
Date 5th February 1941
To:- Mr. L.R. Knight,
c/o Mr. Snow, 12 Cudham Lane,
Green Street Green, Farnborough, Kent.

With reference to your police letter dated 27/1/41 herewith railway warrant No. 822723 for your journey from Green Street Green to Bedford.

2. You are to report to this unit as early as possible forthwith.

for Wing Commander, Commanding.
No.2. Recruit Centre. R.A.F.
Cardington. Bedford

RAF Service
Cosford From Skegness to Delhi


Top