Levi Welch Gazeley was born in October 1877 in Round Green, Luton.

In 1891 he is 13 years old. He is working as a tailor & living with his family at 170 North Street. His father Frederick Welch Gazeley is 34 years old & working in the hat trade as a plait collector. Levi's sister, 18 year old Florence Butterfield is also working in the hat trade as a straw hat finisher. Their mother Rose Anna 39 is at home looking after the younger siblings, Benjamin aged 10, 8 year old Charlotte & Alice May who is 5.

In 1895 Levi enlisted into the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. His service record describes him as 5ft 4 1/2 inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes & dark brown hair. He has 3 scars on his right hand & a mole on his right clavicle. His was serving a 4 year apprenticeship in Luton as a tailor with Mr Hickman at the time of his enlistment. On 16th December 1899 he was posted to South Africa to fight in the Second Boer War. His first tour of duty lasted 8 months until 12th August 1900.

In 1901 the census tells us he is living at the Chelsea Barracks in Hanover Square, London.

Levi was posted for a second tour of duty to South Africa on 1st March 1902 until 22nd September 1902. Levi received the Queens South Africa Medal with 2 clasps, Cape Colony & Orange Free State for his service.

On 22nd October 1902 Levi married Louisa Breed in the Parish Church in Luton.

On 24th January 1903 Levi transferred to the 1st Battalion Notts & Derby & was posted to Hong Kong for almost 2 years until 6th December 1904 .He then served from 7th December 1904 to 25th July 1905 in the Straits of Malacca, the 'Straits Settlement', which was a British colony comprising of Singapore, Penang in Malaysia & Malacca. He returned home on 26th July 1905 & was discharged as medically unfit on 22nd September 1905 after serving 10 years with the colours.

Levi & Louisa settled down & had 5 children, Kathleen Marjory, Elsie Maud, Kenneth Roy, Frank & Joan.

On the outbreak of war Levi was 38 years old, living with his family at 31 Dale Road & working as a tailor. He attested for the Sherwood Foresters & was immediately promoted to Sergeant on 29th September 1915 providing home service, so did not serve abroad. He was discharged as no longer physically fit on 14th August 1917.

Levi survived the war but died on 13th February 1920 & was buried in the cemetery on Rothesay Road.