WILKINSON, Leslie Arthur
| Service Number: | 609 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 August 1914, Helena Vale, Western Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | York, Western Australia , 18 August 1896 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Scotch College, Claremont, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Counter hand |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey, 28 June 1915, aged 18 years |
| Cemetery: |
Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula Plt2, Row G, Grave 9 , Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nedlands Scotch College WW1 Honour Roll, York War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 609, 11th Infantry Battalion, Helena Vale, Western Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 609, 11th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 609, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Fremantle | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 609, 11th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli |
Help us honour Leslie Arthur Wilkinson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Friends of ANZAC Cottage Inc
Today we remember a very special member of the Friends of ANZAC Cottage family, young Pte Leslie Wilkinson. Leslie enlisted on 21 August 1914 at the tender age of 19 years, having just left school. As a soldier in the 11th Battalion he was amongst the earliest arrivals at Gallipoli. Sadly, Leslie lost his life on June 28, 1915 and is buried in Shell Green Cemetery. Leslie, forever in our hearts, rest in peace. Lest we forget.
The poignant story of Leslie’s association with ANZAC Cottage was revealed through the newspapers of the time, when it was discovered that Leslie had left some money in his will to his aunt. She then used that money to purchase a flagpole which she then donated to ANZAC Cottage along with the plaque.
Leslie is also remembered in his birthplace, York, Western Australia
More about Leslie’s story can be found in the attachment to this post in an article from the Subiaco Post written by Shannon Lovelady as part of her “West Australian Gallipoli Dead” project. The article is now published on the History Teachers Association of Western Australia’s website (http://www.htawa.net.au/WA-in-WW1/gallipoli_dead.html)
Biography
Only surviving child of William Arthur Wilkinson and 1st wife Emily Mary Hunt (aka Edwards).
Leslie enlised at Helena Vale near Perth and embarked at Fremantle for Egypt. His Battalion (the 11th) led the assault on Turkish troops at Gallipoli on 25 Apr 1915.
Leslie was killed in action there two months later. His memorial plaque and service medals were sent to his aunt Helen D. Simms (nee Wilkinson) in 1921/22.
Click images to start slideshow.