Son of Willie Charles and Edith Denize, of Whangapoua Rd., Coromandel, Auckland.

A comrade of Denize's, Rifleman Cyril Troup, described Denize's last moments in a letter home, dated 3 August 1917: "The morning of the attack we waited the word to go, and off we went. Old Les would lead us and we went through that hell fire of shells known as a barrage. We got through safely. Leslie was in the lead all the way and for pluck and coolness could not be beaten. We took our objective and dug in. In the afternoon Leslie and myself went into No Man's Land for our tool kit, which one of the wounded had left. Fritz put up a barrage and we were caught in the middle of it. We ran for dear life and came through safely, and congratulated ourselves on our escape. The following day we still held our position and our turn came for a sleep ... As usual, Leslie got up first, and knowing that the rest of the boys were tired, he let them have his place. He had no sooner got out than two shells burst on our trench. One caught Leslie and made a big hole in his lung, killing him instantly ... As far as I know ... Leslie is buried on the battle scarred side of Messines Ridge. He died a noble death, and may God have mercy on him. He was the best chum we ever had and would have given away his uniform if we had been short. God only knows, all the big-hearted boys seem to go. We paid Fritz out for what he did and will continue till he gives in. The whole Company wish me to express their sincere sympathy in losing on of their bravest chums -- Yours sincerely, Rifleman Cyril Troup." AWMM