NEWTON, Leslie Morriss
| Service Numbers: | 262, TX2076 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 August 1914, Brighton, Tasmania |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Southend On Sea, England, 13 December 1892 |
| Home Town: | Launceston, Launceston, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Died: | Natural causes, Merlwood, Victoria, 11 August 1956, aged 63 years |
| Cemetery: |
Fawkner Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria Cremation |
| Memorials: | Lindisfarne Officers of the 12th Battalion Pictorial Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 262, 12th Infantry Battalion, Brighton, Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 262, 12th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 262, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Hobart | |
| 2 May 1915: | Wounded ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW - elbow | |
| 29 Sep 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 262, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 12 Feb 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Jun 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
| 26 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 12th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Jun 1940: | Enlisted TX2076, Hobart, Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Major, TX2076 | |
| 18 Nov 1944: | Discharged Major, TX2076, 2nd/12th Infantry Battalion |
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published 2017, refer to pages 55+6, 272 & 288. Prior to this war he was an accountant of Launceston Tas. He enlisted 25th Aug 14 aged 21 years. He served with the 12th Infantry Battalion, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. During this service he was awarded a Military Cross, a Mention In Dispatches and a Croix De Guerre (Belgium). He survived the war, departing the UK for home 9th Dec 1918.
Leslie Newton collaborated with the 12th Battalion Association and wrote the book "The story of the 12th Battalion AIF during the Great War of 1914-1918" and published by the Association in 1925.
He also served in the 2nd/12th Battalion in WW2, but no details were shown in the above reference.
Submitted 17 March 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography
"NEWTON.- On August 11, at a private hospital, Lt.-Col. Leslie Morris, M.C. and Croix De Guerre, 1st and 2nd A.I.F. (of 111 Market street, Essendon), beloved son of the late Lewis Boswell and Louisa Jean Newton, loved brother of Jack (deceased), and Dorothy Newton, of 12 Flowerdale road, Moorabbin, loved uncle of Ray and Gladys (late of Tasmania), aged 63 years. - Lest we forget." - from the Melbourne Argus 13 Aug 1956 (nla.gov.au)
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