Military History

Longson went to the Blackboy Hill Camp for training. He attended No. 7 NCO School for further training 18.9.1916. His departure overseas was delayed for 2 months because of mother’s serious health problems. Longson was appointed a ’Voyage Only’ Corporal 16.1.1917 for duration of voyage.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Miltiades’ A2 8 to UK. 29.1.1917.
Roll Rank Voyage Only Corporal.
Roll Unit 51st Battalion, 9th Reinforcements, Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Longson disembarked at Devonport 27.3.1917 and marched in to 13th Training Battalion at Codford 30.3.1917. He reverted to rank on arrival. Longson was promoted to A/ L/Corporal at Codford 3.7.1917. He qualified as an Instructor at the 41st Course of Instruction in Bombing and Trench Warfare at Lyndhurst 18.8.1917. Longson reverted to ranks for overseas duty. He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 29.9.1917. He was taken on strength with the 51st Battalion 29.9.1917 just after the Battle of Polygon Wood. He was re allotted SN 3478A. The 51st Battalion fought in the trenches on the Somme through the winter of 1917-1918. Longson was admitted to hospital sick with Colitis in France 8.3.1917. He was invalided  to England per Hospital Ship (HS) ‘Newhaven’ 10.4.1918 and admitted to the 1st Birmingham Hospital at Redham 11.4.1917. Longson was discharged to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford 29.4.1918. He marched in to the 2nd Command Depot at Weymouth for early return to Australia for a ‘Rest’ -with Catarrhal and Colitis. He embarked for Australia per  HT 'Berunga'  in July 1918. This ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 25 hours after departure. Over 800 australian soldiers were aboard this ship, however, all passengers and crew were saved. (For further details see the West Australian Newspaper  21.9.1918 p8, Daily Advertiser- Wagga Wagga 20.7.1918 p3). After a dramtic rescue, Longson returned to England and re-embarked for Australia 8.8.1918
Embarked Weymouth per HT 'Afric' D19, for Australia 8.8.1918.
Returned/Disembarked 28.9.1918.
Discharged 10.12.1918.
Final Rank Private 51st Battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Medical Condition Invalided with Colitis and Catarrhal.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Longson married  Julia Adelaide Davis in March 1914 (Swan Express 3.4.1914 p6) (West Australian Newspaper 2.4.1914 p1). He left his wife and one child when he embarked for the active service. He resided with his parents before marriage parents at their home ’Carrick-ma- Cross’, 75 Swan Street, Guildford. WA. Post war he moved to his mother-in-law's home at 4 Stirling St Guildford WA  ( Western Mail  28.8.1919). It is interesting to note that Longson's name is not included on the unfinished St Matthew's illuminated Honour Roll, because of his family's close association with this church. This illuminated Roll was unveiled  in March 1918, before Longson returned from service and was framed and unveiled when still incomplete. Longson had 4 brother-in-laws from the Davis famly of Guildford who served in WW1(Walter Herbert (KIA), Reginald (KIA), Frederick Charles (KIA) and Gilbert Murray returned). These soldiers are included on this website.

Photos Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. Palmer&  Ashworth (1922) Facs. Ed. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press, 2014 p82
             HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.001
             Messines, showing winter trenches 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0128
             Leslie Charles Longson. Photograph sourced and reproduce with permission of the Longson Family
             Leslie Longson. Photograph sourced and reproduced courtesy of the Longson Family

Information Source
Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. Palmer and Ashworth (1922.) Facsimile Edition. Published by Hesperian Press, Victoria Park,WA. 2014
AWM P08559.001. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0128. Messines, showing winter trenches 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Leslie Charles Longson
Daily Advertiser-Wagga Wagga
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
Leslie Longson. Photograph sourced and reproduced courtesy of the Longson Family
Leslie Charles Longson. Photograph sourced and reproduce with permission of the Longson Family
NAA: B2455, Longson Leslie Charles
Swan Express
West Australian Newspaper
West Australian Newspaper (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 2 April 1914, page 1
Western Mail
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

4 Stirling Street, Guildford. WA.
’Carrick ma Cross’, 75 Swan Street, Guildford. WA.


 

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