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George Leigh PENTREATH

 Military Cross

Military Cross Recommendation (marked Immediate) 

'For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. On the morning of the 26th September at POLYGON WOOD our line was covered by machine guns from a strong point slightly in advance of our line, which we were consolidating. Lte Pentreath organized a party and rushed the Pill box capturing it and taking 100 prisoners including a Colonel. His work in two days at POLYGON WOOD was of a very high standard. He was Battalion Lewis Gun Officer.    He did not spare himself; he moved about the line encouraging all ranks by his cheerfulness and contempt of danger.'

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120
Date: 7 August 1918

The Camperdown Chronicle in Western Victoria reported in August 1916 the following: -  

‘The head master at Eurack State School, Mr Pentreath, left on Friday last for the purpose of taking up military duty. The school has been closed until such time as the department arranges for another teacher.’[1]

George Leigh Pentreath was born in Mitiamo in Northern Victoria and was the son of Nicholas Pentreath. From records it appears George was educated in Bendigo at the High School was known as Leigh or Leo Pentreath.[2] He spent 4 years as a member of the local 67th Infantry Militia and was appointed Lieutenant within the cadets. Following High School he trained to be a schoolteacher and married a local Bendigo girl Clara Dolma who also had trained as a school teacher. [3]

It appears that Leigh and Clare spent time in East Gippsland teaching in country schools such as Eagle Point  before Leigh landed the role as Headmaster at the country Eurack State school north of Colac.[4]

Prior to enlisting on July 1, 1916 in Melbourne, Leigh convinced the local authorities in the Eurack /Weering District to plant a row of trees in honour of the men who had enlisted prior to 1916 and ‘The Colac Herald’ reported that 20 elms were to be planted in July, 1916.[5]

Leigh was made 2nd Lieutenant and went into camp at Castlemaine. We read that Clara (Leigh’s wife) took up the duties of teaching at her husband’s school and became a popular member of her local community raising substantial sums of money for the Patriotic fund. [6]

Leigh would be assigned to the 59th Battalion under the legendry leader Lieutenant - Colonel Pompey Elliot of the 15th Brigade.

Leigh would serve in France from February 1917 through till the end of the war being wounded on September 2 1918 at the critical action at Mont St Quentin on the Somme River when German troops had retreated to the Hindenburg Line.

Leigh Pentreath deeds described in the Military Cross recommendation at Polygon Wood on September 26, 1917 were truly courageous. He was not alone in being recognised for bravery with a staggering eleven other Bendigo men receiving bravery awards in fighting that week.

SERVICE DETAILS:

Place of birth: Mitiamo near Bendigo

Religion: Church of England

School: All Saints Pro-Cathedral Bendigo and Bendigo High School

Occupation: School teacher

Address: Malvern, Victoria

Marital status: Married

Age at enlistment: 22

Next of kin: Wife, Mrs Clare Maud Pentreath, 32 Llaneast Street, Malvern, Victoria

Enlistment date: 1 July 1916

Rank on enlistment: 2nd Lieutenant (Honorary Lieutenant)

Unit name: 59th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement

Embarked: HMAT A71 Nestor on 2 October 1916

Unit: 59th Australian Infantry Battalion

Final Rank: Lieutenant

Medal Source: Commonwealth Gazette

07 August 1918 on page 1660 at position 13

 Action at Polygon Wood.

War correspondent Charles Bean labelled the battle of Polygon Wood, ‘Never was a battle carried to success in face of more formidable difficulties’. Polygon Wood was fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September and the battle cost 5,770 Australian casualties. 

[1] The Camperdown Chronicle in Western Victoria reported in August 1916 the following -  (Vic. : 1877 - 1954)  Thu 3 Aug 1916  Page 4  BEEAC.
[2] According to Eve gossip column in the Bendigo Independent Dec 1, 1917.  
[3] Bendigo Independent 19/11/17 Page 10
[4] Gippsland Times Mon 26 Nov 1917  Page 3  PERSONAL.
[5] Herald Sun 2011 - The avenue story in the Herald sun 2011 https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/descendants-of-diggers-wanted/news-story                                                                     [6] Camperdown Chronicle (Vic. - 1877 - 1954)  Sat 5 Jul 1919  Page 3  WEERING.

Awarded the Military Cross - London Gazette dated 19 Mar 1918