Collection AR827 - Leslie Frank Stuttle photograph album

Custodial:
The volume was found in the at 44 Christian Fields, Norbury, SW16 when purchased by the current owner, Mrs Margaret Long, in 1992. The previous owner was a Mrs Stuttle, probably the sister-in-law of Leslie.

Administrative:
Rifleman Leslie Frank Stuttle of the 2nd/16th Bn London Regiment (Queens Westminster Rifles) died at the capture of Jerusalem on the 08 December 1917. He was 21. At the outbreak of the First World War, Palestine (now Israel) was part of the Turkish Empire and it was not entered by Allied forces until December 1916. The advance to Jerusalem took a further year and by 21 November 1917, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force had gained a line about five kilometres west of Jerusalem, but the city was deliberately spared bombardment and direct attack. Very severe fighting followed, lasting until the evening of 8 December, when the 53rd (Welsh) Division on the south, and the 60th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions on the west, had captured all the citys prepared defences. Turkish forces left Jerusalem throughout that night and in the morning of 9 December, the Mayor came to the Allied lines with the Turkish Governors letter of surrender. Jerusalem was occupied that day and on 11 December, General Allenby formally entered the city, followed by representatives of France and Italy (from www.cwgc.org).

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, he was the son of William and Eliza Stuttle of 20 Dalmeny Avenue, Norbury but he does not appear in the Croydon Roll of Honour. 20 Dalmeny Avenue first appears in the 1913 Croydon Directory with William Stuttle the first resident. According to the GRO indexes, he was born in Bromley Registration District in the March Quarter of 1896, probably on February 29.