Military History

Leslie was 18 years and 8 months at the time of enlistment and was given the signed consent of his father.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Itonus’ A50 for Egypt 22.2.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 4th Infantry Bde., 16th Bn. 3rd Reinf.
Gray disembarked at Suez with the 16th Infantry Bn. He joined the MEF at Alexandria and embarked for Gallipoli. Gray was wounded in action at the Dardanelles with a GSW to his left arm/ elbow 10.5.1915. He was transferred by HS ‘Gloucester Castle’ from Lemnos to Alexandria and admitted to the 17th General Hospital at Alexandria. Gray rejoined his Unit at Gallipoli 25.6.1915. His wound became a problem–possibly infected and his condition was described as serious 3.7.1915. He was admitted to hospital at Malta 31.7.1915 and then transferred to England as an invalid per HS ‘Goorkha’. Gray admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. He was discharged from Hospital and promoted to L/Sgt 14.2.1916. Gray rejoined the 28th Draft at Weymouth 28.3.1916 and returned to Egypt. He was transferred to the 48th Bn. 19.4.1916 and joined the BEF 2.6.1916. He embarked for Marseilles with his Bn. and disembarked 9.6.1916.
Gray was promoted to L/Sgt. 14.6.1916. He was wounded at Pozieres 6.8.1916, with a GSW to his right calf (leg) (wounded 2nd time). He embarked per HS ‘Cambria’ for England 13.8.1916 and was admitted to Clandon Park Hospital, Guildford 13.8.1916. Gray was transferred to Croydon Hospital 18.9.1916 and received a promotion to the rank of L/ Cpl. 18.9.1916. He was discharged and marched in to Perham Downs 22.11.1916. Gray was promoted to T/Cpl. 20.1.1918. Gray reverted to the rank of Private at Tidworth 20.9.1918. He went AWOL on two occasions at Tidworth and Sutton Veny and was reprimanded. Gray Marched out of Sutton Veny to Weymouth 23.11.1918 and was for early return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Somali’ 10.12.1918.
Disembarked Fremantle 21.1.1919.
Discharged 7.4.1919.
Final Rank Private 48th Bn.
Medical Condition Invalided GSW to Rt. calf.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Note His brother Edwin Allan Gray (SN CSM) also served in WW1.
Photos Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00591.002
             3rd Australian General Hospital at Wandsworth.UK_.c 1916. Postcard by Card House
              Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph source AWM EZ0097

Information Source
AWM P00591.002. Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM EZ0097. Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War Photographer, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls- Leslie James
CardHouse. Postcard of the 3rd Australian General Hospital, Wandsworth,UK
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Gray L J

Broadway West Guildford. WA.

Associated Images