Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Leslie Allan Bryant
Service Number: 2723
Place of Birth: Norwood
Date of Birth: 29 June 1896
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 2 February 1915
Age at Embarkation: 18 years 7 months
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother – Maud Bryant
Occupation: Horse driver
Religion: Church of England
Rank: Driver
West Adelaide Football Club involvement:
Leslie Bryant played 7 games for WAFC in 1919. He made his debut on 14 June 1919. Leslie played for Norwood from 1920. He played 6 State games between 1920 and 1922.
Biographical details:
Leslie was the son of Charles Bryant and Margaret Gilchrist. Leslie underwent basic training with A Coy Infantry from 2 February to 16 February 1915, then trained with the Australian Army Medical Corps until 15 April, prior to leaving Australia with his unit on 23 June 1915. While serving in Egypt he was hospitalised with venereal disease on 6 August. He fractured his clavicle on 10 February 1916, while playing football. Leslie transferred to the 3rd Field Ambulance at Tel- el -Kebir on 17 March; they were sent to France on the Kingstonian on 27 March. Leslie was charged with “when on active service impeding a person legally carrying out their duty and resisted arrest,” for which he was sentenced to 28 days confinement then placed on trial on 6 September. During action on 20 September 1917 he was shot in the shoulder, then admitted to the 22nd General Hospital at Dannes and was able to rejoin his unit from hospital on 11 October.
Leslie’s conflict with Army discipline continued when he was absent without leave (failing to appear on parade) on 27 March 1918 and resulted in being docked pay for 2 days.
Private Leslie Bryant was awarded the Military Medal, “for gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack near Villeret on 18th September 1918, 3rd Australian Private Bryant showed an utter disregard of danger and his courage and coolness whilst carrying wounded from a sunken road which was being heavily shelled, across very bad ground covered with barbed wire entanglements, was a splendid example to those who saw him.” T.W. Glasgow Major General, Commanding 1st Australian Division. His citation was announced in the London Gazette of 17 June 1919. The Military Medal was presented to Leslie by General Birdwood on 6 March,1920.
Leslie was appointed Driver on 4 October 1918 and returned to Australia on the Karagola on 30 April 1919 and was discharged on 1 August. He died on 24 April 1965.
The VWMA lists Leslie as a warehouseman for D & J Fowler Ltd. His name appears on the Roll of Honour to members of staff of D & J Fowler Ltd SA, WA and London. It is now located in the Army Museum, Fremantle WA.
Source: NAA; B2455; Bryant L A; Barcode 3133989