Leslie Percival Ridgwell was born in Williamstown, VIC, was single and working as a clerk in Ballarat when he enlisted in the 6th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement on 22 July 1915 at the age of 25. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. He was promoted to Sergeant on 31 August 1916 due to the fact the Battalion Sergeant was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital. On 21 May 1917, while serving with the 46th battalion, it was reported that Ridgewell was missing. However, it was later updated to show that on 11 April he had been taken as prisoner of war in Riencourt, France and was being confined in Karlsburg, Germany. He was released and returned to England in December 1918 after the signing of the Armistice ending the war, and returned to Australia on 24 January 1919.
Tree No. 1754