MANNING, Leslie John
| Service Number: | 2364 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 September 1916, Enlisted in Melbourne, allocated to the 4th reinforcements for the 38th Infantry Battalion. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Australian Veterinary Hospital |
| Born: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia , 1888 |
| Home Town: | South Melbourne, Port Phillip, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia , 23 January 1952, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cornelian Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, Tasmania Church of England, Section CB, Plot 163 (buried on 26 Jan 1952). |
| Memorials: | South Melbourne Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2364, 38th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted in Melbourne, allocated to the 4th reinforcements for the 38th Infantry Battalion. | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2364, 38th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Melbourne | |
| 20 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2364, 38th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2364, 38th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines, Gassed in Messines, Belgium. | |
| 10 Aug 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, Australian Veterinary Hospital, Taken on strength with the Australian Veterinary Hospital in Calais, France. | |
| 19 Apr 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2364, Australian Veterinary Hospital, Embarked in England aboard HMAT Sardinia for return to Australia. | |
| 16 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2364, Australian Veterinary Hospital, Discharged in 3rd Military District, Melbourne, due to the termination of his period of enlistment. |
Help us honour Leslie John MANNING's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS
Leslie John MANNING was born in 1888 in Geelong, Victoria, to parents Ellen (nee TAYLOR) and Michael Joseph MANNING. In 1916 he married Daisy Marion WRIGHT in Victoria. They later had three children, Leslie, Herbert and Nina.
A 28 year old, married labourer at the time, Leslie enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne on 13th September 1916. He was allocated to the 4th reinforcements for the 38th Infantry Battalion with the rank of Private, regimental number 2364. After completing his recruit training with 'A' Company of the 23rd (Depot) Battalion at Royal Park, Leslie embarked in Melbourne aboard HMAT "Port Lincoln" on 20th October 1916, for active service overseas.
Having disembarked in Plymouth, England on 29th December, Leslie marched into the 10th Training Battalion at Larkhill. Here he underwent rigorous training in all aspects of trench warfare. On 5th April 1917, Leslie proceeded overseas to France, and marched into the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot in Etaples the following day. Assessed as proficient, Leslie was taken on strength with the 38th Infantry Battalion in their temporary billet at Armentieres, on 8th April 1917. A week later, they returned to the trenches to relieve the 40th Battalion at Houplines, near the French/Belgium border.
On 1st May, Leslie was charged with having been absent without leave between 9pm and 10.30pm that night, whilst on active service in the field. He was subsequently found guilty by the Officer Commanding, Major A.W. Davis, and awarded the punishment of 5 days forfeiture of pay.
On 7th June 1917, the 38th Battalion was involved in its first major battle at Messines, Belgium, when Leslie was evacuated to the 9th Australian Field Ambulance, after suffering the effects of mustard gas. He was admitted to the No. 47 General Hospital in Le Treport, via the No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, the next day.
Having recovered from being gassed, Leslie was discharged from hospital, to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot on 2nd July. Upon being passed as fit to return to duty, he was transferred to the Australian Veterinary Hospital in Calais, where he was taken on strength on 10th August 1917.
Apparently still having issues with his health (possibly the result of being gassed), Leslie attended a Medical Board in Calais on 21st October 1917, where he was classified as being "TU" (temporarily unfit for service). He was granted leave in England from 10th to the 23rd February 1918, after which he attended another Medical Board in Calais on 26th May, and another on 25th August, being classified as "B2" at both. This meant that he was found to have a permanent disability or condition that prevented him from taking any further part in frontline service, but still able to perform labour at base camps. Leslie remained on strength at the Australian Veterinary Hospital for the remainder of the War.
On 19th April 1919, Leslie embarked in England aboard HMAT "Sardinia" for return to Australia, arriving in Melbourne on 8th June. He was subsequently discharged in the 3rd Military District, Melbourne, on 16th July 1919 due to the termination of his period of enlistment. Leslie was later awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service.
At some point Leslie moved to Tasmania, where he had employment as a waterside worker. There, he married Nina Edith SMITH, and became a stepfather to William.
Leslie John MANNING died suddenly at his home at 399 Elizabeth Street North Hobart, Tasmania, on 23rd January 1952. He was 64 years old. Leslie was laid to rest in the historic Cornelian Bay Cemetery on 26th January 1952.
Compiled by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS from historical records kept by the National Archives of Australia (Service Record); Australian War Memorial (Unit War Diaries of 38th Infantry Bn); Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria; Cornelian Bay Cemetery records; and various newspaper articles on Trove.
Click images to start slideshow.