27938
MCAVANEY, Leo David
| Service Number: | 2677 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 47th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Collinsfield, South Australia, 14 December 1889 |
| Home Town: | Peterborough (Formerly Petersburg), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Yongala Woolshed School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Porter S.A.R |
| Died: | Peterborough South Australia, 10 October 1947, aged 57 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Peterborough Cemetery, SA Catholic 2, Plot 860 |
| Memorials: | Caltowie District WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 2677, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Shropshire embarkation_ship_number: A9 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 2677, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 2677, 47th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Leo David McAvaney's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Netta Blatchford
Leo David was born on 14 December 1889 in Collinsfield, South Australia, to John James Mcavaney and Sarah Ann Shearwin. His birth is recorded in Book/Page 450/216 in Collinsfield, South Australia. Although little is known about his early years, records indicate that he attended Yongala Woolshed School. His father, John James, worked as a boundary rider for Bundaleer and leased land at Yackamoorundie under the Council of Education Act of 1881. The family resided just outside Yongala, South Australia, in Whyte: section 498, close to Canowie Belt.
Research and family knowledge reveal that Leo was employed as a porter for the South Australian Railways, a common occupation for young men of that era. In 1916, Leo enlisted in the Army and embarked on the HMAT A9, Shropshire, as reinforcements during World War I. He was wounded and returned to Australia in 1917, later working as a railway ganger.
Marriage and Family
Leo married Elizabeth Effie Beck on 18 December 1917 at the registry office in Adelaide. Together, they had seven children:
• Leo David McAvaney (1918 - 1988)
• Violet Joan (McAvaney) Ding (1920 - 2005)
• Stanley Mannix McAvaney (1924 - ~1983)
• Ambrose Levi McAvaney (1925 - 1986)
• Francis McAvaney (1927 - 2005)
• Eileen Gladys (McAvaney) Tidswell (1930 - 2002)
• Brian McAvaney (1932 - 1976)
Records of Leo's employment can be found in GRS 10638, South Australian Railways.
Passing and Legacy
Leo passed away on 10 October 1947 in Enfield. Following his death, the family expressed sincere gratitude for the support, kind messages, and floral tributes received. Special thanks were extended to the Returned Soldiers, Dr. Flaherty, nurses, and the Peterborough Hospital, as noted in family notices published in The Times and Northern Advertiser.
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