14th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
Leslie Vines was born at Kingswood, Gloucestershire in the second quarter of 1898, one of six sons born to John and Emma Vines of Wotton.
On 18 June 1915 he enlisted into the Gloucestershire Regiment, at Wotton-under-Edge and stated his age to be 19, two years more than his true age. He gave his address as being Potter’s Pond and his occupation as a mill hand.
He was posted to the 14th Battalion at Bristol.
He was discharged from the Army eleven days later on 29 June 1915 having been declared as medically unfit for further service under para 392 111C of the King’s Regulations.
The reason for his discharge is unknown; his Silver War Badge record states this was due to sickness.
He died on 11 November 1918, aged 21, and it is interesting to note that he is buried with his brother Wilfred, who died as a result of illness contracted during military service. Their names are inscribed on a single CWGC headstone.
Having been discharged from the Army and not having died whilst in military service, he would not normally be eligible for a CWGC headstone or a place in their Register of War Casualties.
The joint burial has probably resulted in him appearing in the CWGC records.
Ironically given his service of only eleven days, his Service Record has survived at the National Archives, as has his Military Pension Record (which appears to amount to the same thing). There is also a Medal Index Card, which is unusual given the absence of overseas service.
Research by Graham Adams 17 January 2012