Chapter one, begins with Leslie aged three being taken from the workhouse to Lavant children's home. Where he will spend the next twelve years. The story unfolds to relate his employments as a kitchen boy at Juniper Hall in Surrey. Training and becoming a footman at nearby Cuckfield House, and further employments in 1930's London.
In 1938 leaving England to work as a waiter in Switzerland, and returning home in 1939 to army service in W.W.2.
First the Royal Engineers, then Pioneer Corps, his unit part of the B.E.F in France. After the mass evacuation to England, a spell on the Isle of Man; military training and guarding the P.O.W.internees in the camps.
The unit returning to England and becoming part of the K.S.L.I. Further training to become a Signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals.
In June 1943, posted abroad. In December 1943, taken on strength in Popskis Private Army.
P.P.A. was a special service unit, led by Major Vladimir Peniakoff - Popski. And was one of the smallest, colourful, and most daring units ever set up to operate behind enemy lines , first in Africa then Italy.