Leslie Charles Reiffel was born in Ballarat, was single and a labourer living on Barkly Street, Ballarat East when he enlisted in the 7th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement on 12 January 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 17 April 1915. Disembarked Alexandria from Lemnos, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Reported in London, 1 April 1920, and discharged (demobilised) as from 26 June 1919.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Charles L. Raiffel.