Leslie was the Patrol Sergeant of Probus Patrol
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probus Patrol | Patrol Leader | 06 Jan 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Lorry driver
Sergeant Les Champion was in the Royal Engineers in WW1, he specialized in working on tanks.
Working as a millers lorry driver, in 1939 he was a volunteer local ambulance driver.
Early in the war, ammunition and explosives were stored in a lean to shed at the side of Churchtown Cottage, Probus, the home of Sgt. Champion. Later, everything was stored in the OB but rather than handed in after stand down it was all returned to Sgt. Champion's house. When Les died and his son took over the house in the early 1960's the bomb disposal squad had to be called in to remove and destroy the large amount of explosives still stored in the lean to. There is nothing left at the site now !
Les Champion and Denis Hooper were next door neighbours so they both would have had close and easy access to the explosives stored in the house.
Les' son Patrick married Joy Knowles, the daughter of Sergeant Knowles of Grampound Patrol.
TNA ref WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Alwyn Harvey and his work on the Defence of Britain Database
Patrick and Joy (Nee Knowles) Champion