“Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Paternoster, of Salisbury, have received information that their eldest son, Sgt. Leslie Melville Paternoster, has died from the effects of wounds received in France on April 26. The deceased soldier, who was 23 years of age, was a native of Salisbury, where he was exceedingly popular. He received his primary education at the local school, which was followed by a three-years’ business course at Muirden College. On completion of this course he received the award of the Old Scholars’ Association for the most popular boy in the school.

On leaving college he obtained a position in the firm of Messrs. Elder, Smith, & Co.in Adelaide, and a year later received a promotion to the firm’s branch at Kapunda. In August, 1913, the firm transferred him to a more responsible position at Strathalbyn. He enlisted from Strathalbyn in August, 1915, and two months later, left with the 11th Reinforcement to the 10th Battalion. He was afterwards transferred to the Field Artillery Brigade for service in France, where he quickly received promotion as a reward for gallantry.”

The Register, 11th May 1918

He was enlisted into the 11th Reinforcements for the 10th Battalion and embarked with his draft of reinforcements on HMAT Benalla on 27 October 1915. 

He arrived in the Middle East too late for Gallipoli and in the 'Doubling of the AIF' that took place in early 1916 after the withdrawal from ANZAC, Leslie was transferred to to the 50th Battalion, the 'pup' Battalion of the 10th.  In due course he was then transferred to the 11th Field Artillery Brigade.  He eventually attained the rank of Sergeant.

On 24 April 1917 he was wounded in action for the second time and, on the following day he succumbed to these wounds, aged 23, and was buried in the Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France.