Leslie William Hayes

Leslie William Hayes (1934 – 2024) was born on 31 January 1934 in Claude Road, Leyton, to William and Florence, a younger brother to Dorothy and Jean.  After the start of World War 2, Leslie and his mother were evacuated to Hertford and later, due to his schooling being disrupted, he self-taught himself to read.  After nearly losing his life to peritonitis, Leslie left school at 14 to take up an apprenticeship at London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Stratford.  He became an excellent coach-painter and freehand signwriter.

Called up for National Service in 1952, Leslie joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and was posted to Egypt.  After leaving the LNER in 1962, Leslie worked at British Rail and from 1964, London Transport, working at garages across London: Clapton, Upton Park, Ash Grove, Leyton.

Married to Margaret in 1959, Leslie and Margaret lived in Harold Road, Acacia Road, Leytonstone, then Prospect Road, Woodford Green.  Parents to Cathy, Alley and Michael, holidays were in the UK and Europe using public transport until Leslie passed his driving test in 1981. For 15 years they travelled to the Isle of Skye, using the Motorail to Stirling.  After retirement, Leslie and Margaret took architecture cultural tours in Europe and supported the arts, film and music offered across London.

Leslie was a Leighton Orient supporter and had an extensive knowledge of most sports.  Other interests were history, in particular, twentieth century military history and jazz, often visiting Ronnie Scott’s.  He became adept at solving cryptic crosswords, winning the Guardian newspaper crossword 25 times.