Born in Ballarat, Grenville and a Turner by trade, Leslie Albert Cleverley was 24 years and single when enlisted on the 12th of September 1914 in the Field Ambulance 4, Reinforcement 1, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 2061. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A35 'Berrima' on the 22nd of December 1914. On the 21st of January 1917 promoted Temporary Corporal (Vice Corporal), Field; on the 11th of March 1917 Promoted Corporal to complete Establishment, Field; on the 28th of September 1918 appointed lance Sergeant vice, France. On the 23rd of October 1918 left England for return to Australia per Hospital transport 'Port Lyttleton' and disembarked at Melbourne on the 25th of December 1918 and Discharged from the A.I.F. on the 24th of February 1919.

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