Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Military Medal

Completed by Glenunga International High School

On the 9th of April 1915, young McLeay from Port Clinton filled in his enlistment form. Inspired and driven by his love for Australia and wanting to do his duty for the British Empire, McLeay decided to sign up.[2] Born on the 12th of May 1895 to George McLeay and Margaretta Barton McLeay, he was only 19 when he first embarked to make his family proud.[3] Lancelot spent his childhood in Port Clinton, where he was raised by his loving parents alongside his five siblings.[4] Afterwards, Adelaide became his home as he continued studying at Muirden College to be a clerk.[5] He was an athletic individual, described as a “promising member of the Sturt lacrosse and tennis clubs”.[6] However, his career as a clerk did not last long, as he discovered his true passion and pride in serving his country. 

On the 24th of June 1915, Lancelot McLeay officially embarked from Adelaide, ready to serve as an ANZAC, following his mother’s consent. When he first arrived in Europe, he briefly served in the 11th Australian Infantry Battalion and the 4th Field Ambulance at Gallipoli, prior to evacuation between December 1915 and January 1916.[8] Many believe that the ANZAC Spirit was constructed by the Gallipoli campaign, which was further affirmed in the duration of warfare. In March 1916, McLeay was taken on strength to join the 12th Field Ambulance unit.[9] He fought along the Western Front of France in the Battle of Somme and the Battles for Bullecourt against the Central Powers. The Battle of Somme was known as the largest and bloodiest battle of World War I.

The 12th Field Ambulance unit was a part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division of the AIF (Australian Imperial Force), made up of around 300 soldiers, majority of which were Privates, with one qualified doctor, usually of Captain rank, assisted by several officers, Sergeants and Corporals. As shown in Figure 6 and 7, the 12th Field Ambulance unit would have been of similar set-up. Their faculty consisted of some hospital beds and tents for different treatments, where emergency surgery and care was given. Men were separated into different ranks and given different roles and responsibilities to fulfil.[10]

McLeay was a stretch-bearer, meaning he hand-carried casualties alongside four to eight men from first-line Regimental Aid Posts (RAP) to either the Field Ambulance’s own faculty, an Advanced Dressing Station or a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS), in similar situations to Figure 9.[11] He was usually responsible for second-line casualty evacuations from first-line RAP in action at Gallipoli and the Western Front of France, specifically Somme and Bullecourt.[12] McLeay was trained to conduct First Aid to clear airways, staunch bleeding and splint fractures.[13] Patients at the unit usually stayed for very short periods of time and were either returned to the front-lines or for further evacuation.[14]

Private McLeay’s job was considered almost impossible by most. When major attacks occurred, the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) would assess the condition of the casualty and those with higher chances of survival were given high priority for evacuation. After an attack was undertaken, many soldiers in the units were exposed to enemy direct fire from machine guns or rifles and indirect fire from artillery mortar fire and occasionally, gas. As McLeay was often carrying casualties from the first-line RAP to the 12th Field Ambulance unit, he was exposed to these hazards on a daily basis.[15] Regardless of his work environment, McLeay’s medical records were completely clear of injuries, except for being sick in September 1917.[16] Following his efforts and dedication to his work, McLeay was promoted to Corporal during this time.

 The Field Ambulance units’ dedication towards their role was a crucial part leading to the ultimate win of the war. As a part of the Gallipoli Campaign, the Field Ambulance units were assembled on the beach, in charge of rushing up the coast to evacuate casualties when needed.[17] This turned out to be one of the most significant war campaigns in all of Allies’ history. Despite this considered unsuccessful, the Field Ambulance units and other evacuation personnel saved some 18,000 wounded Allies. Along the Western Front (including Battles of Bullecourt and Somme), more than 100,000 wounded were evacuated which would not be possible without dedicated soldiers, like McLeay.[18] Even though many men were injured during their role, they all felt compelled to return and support their mates through till the end, really proving the true meaning of ANZAC spirit.[19]

Recognising his gallantry service and devotion to the army, McLeay was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) and Mentioned in Despatches Badge (M.I.D.).[20] His Military Medal was awarded for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty during the Battles of Bullecourt on April 11. As described by the Commonwealth Gazette No. 169 (4/10/1917), “on one occasion there was concentrated enemy artillery fire on a “Tank” which passed close to the bearer relay station - Lance Corporal McLeay under this fire and when the remainder of his squad were killed or wounded immediately carried off one of them on his back and continued to show a great example of courage and devotion to duty for many hours afterwards”.[21] The Mentioned in Despatches, a commendation for acts of bravery, was awarded to all soldiers mentioned in the official report of gallantry service.[22] Following the end of WWI, McLeay received the 1914 Star, 1914 British War Medal and The Allied Victory Medal, which were awarded in a group known as the 1914 Great War Star Trio for all ANZAC soldiers who fought during WWI.[23]

On the 13th of July 1919, McLeay was discharged from the 12th Field Ambulance, for the reason; cessation of hostilities, symbolising the end of the war.[24] After serving a total of 4 years and 93 days, McLeay returned from active service, preparing for an ordinary and peaceful life.[25]

In the following years, Lancelot McLeay got married to Florence Eva Wright in 1923. Together, they had two children named Donald and Colin.[26] They settled into a parental life for the next two decades.

While one of the McLeay siblings served our nation overseas, the Honourable George McLeay, served Australia as a politician for over four decades, ultimately being elected as the Minister of Shipping, Fuel and Transport.[27]

On the 1st of September 1939, German troops invaded Poland, as Australia prepared for the start of WWII. Lancelot J.B. McLeay, then 44 years old, tied by his loyalty to the ANZACs, signed up to serve our nation once again.[28] During WWII, he served as a part of the 9th Garrison Battalion. His role here was to defend the coast of Victoria, alongside other Class B (support/back-up) personnel, made up of many other middle-aged WWI veterans. They were in charge of manning fixed and vulnerable points along the coast. McLeay worked in this unit for the next 4 years, before the unit disbanded a year before the war was over.[29] In this time, he was promoted to Sergeant.

Lancelot James Barton McLeay died peacefully on the 20th of January 1952 in Repat Hospital, Daw Park at the age of 56, due to coronary occlusion and pneumonia.[31] McLeay’s story truly represents the meaning of ANZAC spirit, illustrating what it really means to be “driven by devotion”. From a 19 year-old ANZAC soldier to an almost 50 year-old veteran, McLeay served our nation proud and true in all scenarios, persevering through many unimaginable hardships, but still managed to form mateship with those around him. His exceptional courage and discipline was shown through his every action, every word, from the coast of Gallipoli to the coast of Victoria, he upheld his duty at every opportunity. His perseverance, evident through McLeay serving from the beginning in both WWI and WWII, showed his strong dedication and love for Australia.

[1] Australian War Memorial 2022, Enlistment statistics, First World War, www.awm.gov.au.
[2] Australian Government | Department of Veterans' Affairs 2020, Enlisting in the Australian forces during World War I, anzacportal.dva.gov.au.
[3] National Archives of Australia 1914-1920, McLeay Lancelot James Barton : SERN 4128 : POB Port Clinton SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK M McLeay Margaret, National Archives of Australia.
[4] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2021, FamilySearch.org, ancestors.familysearch.org.
[5] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, Lancelot James Barton (Fat) MCLEAY MM, MiD, vwma.org.au.
[6] Observer Newspaper 1917, ‘Sat 28 Jul 1917’, Observer, 28 July, Adelaide, South Australia.
[7]  Marshall, GC 1953, ‘The Nobel Peace Prize 1953’.
[8] Observer Newspaper 1917, ‘Sat 28 Jul 1917’, Observer, 28 July, Adelaide, South Australia.
[9] National Archives of Australia 1914-1920, McLeay Lancelot James Barton : SERN 4128 : POB Port Clinton SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK M McLeay Margaret, National Archives of Australia.
[10] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, 12th Field Ambulance, vwma.org.au.
[11] National Archives of Australia 1914-1920, McLeay Lancelot James Barton : SERN 4128 : POB Port Clinton SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK M McLeay Margaret, National Archives of Australia.
[12] Observer Newspaper 1917, ‘Sat 28 Jul 1917’, Observer, 28 July, Adelaide, South Australia.
[13] BBC Bitesize 2022, Caring for the wounded on the Western Front - Medicine on the British sector of the Western Front, 1914-1918 - GCSE History Revision - Edexcel, BBC Bitesize.
[14] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, 12th Field Ambulance, vwma.org.au.
[15] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, 1st Field Ambulance, vwma.org.au.
[16] National Archives of Australia 1914-1920, McLeay Lancelot James Barton : SERN 4128 : POB Port Clinton SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK M McLeay Margaret, National Archives of Australia.
[17] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, 12th Field Ambulance, vwma.org.au.
[18] Australian Government | Department of Veterans' Affairs 2024, Gallipoli, Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
[19] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, 12th Field Ambulance, vwma.org.au.
[20] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, Lancelot James Barton (Fat) MCLEAY MM, MiD, vwma.org.au.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Geoff 2024, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.), www.teignheritageworldwar.org.uk.
[23] Imperial War Museums 2024, British First World War Service Medals, Imperial War Museums.
[24] Britannica 2024, Cessation of hostilities | military | Britannica, www.britannica.com.
[25] National Archives of Australia 1914-1920, McLeay Lancelot James Barton : SERN 4128 : POB Port Clinton SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK M McLeay Margaret, National Archives of Australia.
[26] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2021, FamilySearch.org, ancestors.familysearch.org.
[27] Richards, E 2000, George McLeay (1892–1955), Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, Canberra.
[28] Australian Government | Department of Veterans' Affairs 2023, Reflections on Enlistment in World War II: In Their Own Words, anzacportal.dva.gov.au.
[29] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, 9 Garrison Battalion / Company (Vic), vwma.org.au.
[30]MacAuthur, D 1951, ‘“Old Soldiers Never Die” Address to Congress’.
[31] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2024, Lancelot James Barton (Fat) MCLEAY MM, MiD, vwma.org.au.
[32] Virtual War Memorial Australia 2021, Unley Town Hall WW1 Honour Board, Unley, South Australia, Australia, Vwma.org.au.