Second World War - Lynsted Memorial Project
Leslie Frank BOORMAN (of Teynham)
b. Q4 1923 Private, Service Number 14512039 |
Son of Alfred William, an agricultural labourer, and Louisa (née Whibley) Boorman of 2 Triggs Row, Barrow Green, Teynham, Leslie (nicknamed "Jacko") was born in 1923.
Leslie served in the 2nd Battalion, The Buffs, who had been moved from India into Burma in 1944. As part of the 36th British Division they crossed the Irrawaddy in January 1945 where they came under the command of the 14th Army.
At the time that Leslie was killed in action, the 36th Division had forced a crossing in assault craft over the Shweli river to Myitson. This had been preceded by the heaviest air and land bombardment in this sector of the Burma front. Crossing the Shweli allowed the 36th Division's advance into central Burma.
Leslie is buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Htauk Kyant, Kale District, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. The largest of the three war cemeteries in Burma (now Myanmar), it was begun in 1951 for the reception of graves from four battlefield cemeteries at Akyab, Mandalay, Meiktila and Sahmaw. These were difficult to access and could not be maintained. The graves have been grouped together to preserve the individuality of these battlefield cemeteries. Because of prolonged post-war unrest, considerable delay occurred before the Army Graves Service were able to complete their work.
