BOAK, Leslie Campbell
| Service Numbers: | 1919, 1665 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 January 1915, Ballarat, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 1st Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Buninyong, Victoria, Australia, 13 August 1896 |
| Home Town: | Yendon, Moorabool, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Yendon State School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Septic Leg, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 17 August 1985, aged 89 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1919, Ballarat, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1919, 8th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Apr 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1919, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 17 Jul 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1919, 8th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 13 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 1st Pioneer Battalion | |
| 1 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1st Pioneer Battalion | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 1st Pioneer Battalion | |
| 23 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 1665, 1st Pioneer Battalion |
Help us honour Leslie Campbell Boak's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Jade Boak
Leslie Campbell Boak was born in Pound Creek, Yendin via Buninyong, Victoria 13th August 1896. 3rd son to Alexandra Campbell Boak and Ellen Robinson. Leslie was one of 10 children that attended the Yendon Primary School, there he would travel to school by horse, often with 3 and 4 sisters aboard.
At the age of 19, a young man working alongside his father and siblings on the farm. Trapping rabbits, growing veggies and collecting wood. Standing tall and like many a young man he answered the call for duty. Enlisting on the 9th Janury 1915 with the Australian Imperial Force. Now a Private, Service Number 1919, Ballarat, Victoria.
He was the first son of Alexander Campbell to enlist with brothers Alexander John enlisting 6 months later in July 1915 and William James enlisting in October 1916. His father Alexander Campbell also enlisted in October of 1916 at the age of 44.
On the 17th April 1915 "Boaky" as he was affectionately known was now a private and embarking in the biggest challenge of his life. Heading off to war on the HMAT Hororata Melbourne with the other soldiers. Ironically, this was the same ship his father boardered 1 year later.
Leslie Campbell was a member of the 8th Infantry Battalion that landed at Gallipoli on the 17th July 1915, he was now was part of history as a 'ANZAC' in Gallipoli and for our family members to remember him.
March 1916 Boaky was transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion and months later on the 1st of Aug 1916 he was promoted to "Lance Corporal".
During May of 1917, he learns his eldest brother Alexander John Boak, known as Jack to the family had been killed in action on the 3 March 1917.
After 3 months in the battlefield he was then promoted to Corporal of the 1st Pioneer Battalion on the 4th October 1917.
For the next 15 months, he endured being in the trenches, being shot at, admitted to war hospitals for been shot, injuries and infections. He undertook further training as a rifleman and was sent back to the battleline.
A service to be proud of, on the 23rd of March 1919 he was discharged from the AIF and returned to the Yendon area where he was given a parcel of land to farm, under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement.
He married Barbra Ada Elizabeth Kirwan in 1922 and they had 3 children. 1st son Alfred Joseph was born in 1923, Leslie Douglas was born in 1927 and Maxwell in 1933, sadly Maxy died in 1933. Boaky had 7 grandchildren and 2 greatgrand children when he passed.
He worked as a miner and remained close to his parents throughout there life.
Stories of riding his bike home from the pub or a rascally rabbit story, he was always up for a chat, with a cheeky smile which entertain all who knew him.
Leslie Campbell or Boaky as he was known was a kind man and will always be remembered as a courageous soldier, who enjoyed family gatherings and a cold beer at the local pub. He always took part in the Anzac celebrations a proud Aussi AIF member.
Leslie Campbell Boak passed away in 1985, aged 89 in the Ballarat district and a burial service was held at the Buninyong Cemetry, Victoria.
Phillip Joseph, 1st son of Leslie Campbell followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the 2nd World War in 1943. Phillip pass away in 1981. 2nd Son Leslie Douglas died in 2002.
* Information supplied by Jade Boak (Grand Daughter) Daughter of Leslie Douglas Boak
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