Military History

Enlisted 27.7.1915.
Embarked Sydney per HMAT ‘Ceramic’ A 40 for Egypt 23.11.1915.
Roll Rank Sapper/Private.
Roll Unit 6th Field Company Engineers.
Leslie disembarked in Egypt. He was promoted to L/Corporal 11.1.1916.  After a brief period of training, he entrained to Alexandria and joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Leslie embarked per the ‘City of Edinburgh’ for France 19.3.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 27.3.1916. The 2nd Division fought at Fleurbaix in mid April and July and at Pozieres from 23.7.1916- 3.9.1916. During this period Leslie was promoted to 2nd Corporal 17.7.1916. Leslie was seriously wounded in action at Pozieres, receiving an explosive Shell Wound to his head, his left side and fingers 25.7.1916. His condition was listed as dangerously ill 25.7.1916. He was invalided from Calais to England 26.8.1916 and admitted to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital 7.11.1916 (reported West Australian Newspaper 4.8.1916). He underwent surgery to remove bone from his skull to reduce fits, and then underwent removal of shell fragments from his skull. He was discharged from the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital to Weymouth for furlough and repatriation 12.11.1916. The Medical Board determined that Leslie would be repatriated to Australia for 5 months change. He did not return to active service.
Embarked Devonport? Plymouth for Australia per Hospital Ship (HS) ‘Benalla’ 3.4.1917.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 10.4.1917.
Discharged 12.10.1917.
Final Rank 2nd Corporal 6th FCE. 2nd Australian Division Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Medical Condition Invalided with head injuries from Shell wound to skull.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0284A
             Pozieres village destroyed by shell fire 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00511
             3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C05043
             HMAT 'Benalla'A24. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB9246

Information Source
AWM PB0284A. HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E0051. Pozieres village destroyed by shell fire 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the  Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C05043. 3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM PB9246. HMAT 'Benalla A24. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll William Allen Leslie
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Leslie William
West Australian Newspaper


Havelock St. West Perth. WA.

Associated Images