Leslie Bowra (SN 52) born in Ballarat, was a 32 year old blacksmith when he enlisted on September 11th 1915. In May 1916 he sailed from Sydney aboard the Beltana, reaching England on July 9th. Posted to the 36th Infantry Battalion he crossed to France in November. After a couple of months in the trenches he developed laryngitis and in April 1917 he was withdrawn to hospital in England. He was assessed as unfit for further active service and was returned to Australia aboard the Beltana. He was discharged on January 17th 1918 as ‘medically unfit, subacute diaphragmatic spasm.'

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Leslie Boura.