ROBERTS, Leslie Alfred
| Service Number: | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 38th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Paynesville Pictorial Roll of Honor, Paynesville War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 1959, 38th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Orontes embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 1959, 38th Infantry Battalion, RMS Orontes, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Aubrey Bairstow
Leslie Alfred Roberts enlisted in the AIF in February 1916. He stated that he was a Clerk from Gippsland and that he had 1 year prior service in the 13th Light Horse.
He was posted to D Company 38th Battalion and embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements.. He arrived in England as a Lance Corporal and underwent training before entering France in November 1916.
Leslie was promoted to Sergeant in the field following the wounding of Sergeant Mills in April 1917, and was awarded the Military Medal in August 1917 for his bravery earlier at Messines. He was in fact recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal and the award was approved so its unclear why he got the lesser award with such a spectacular citation.
“On the 7th , 8th and 9th June 1917 during operations south of Messines , for conspicuous gallantry and coolness under fire. This NCO did splendid work during the approach march in attending to men who were gassed. He took an active part in the assault and later carried out the duties of an observer from a most exposed position and under heavy shell fire. He rendered fine service in evacuating and attending to wounded cases. He inspired his men by his coolness and courage under the most trying circumstances.”
In October 1917 he was promoted to Temporary Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class II) and subsequently returned to England the following month for Officer Cadet Training. Leslie was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 5 December 1918 and was returned to his Battalion. His MM was sent to his sister in Australia on 4 March 1919. Leslie settled in Maffra , Victoria.
During World War Two Lesie was commissioned as a Captain in the 16th Victoria Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps based at Shepparton.. He enlisted in June 1942 and served until October 1945. By this stage he was a butter factory manager so also had a role in essential services so he was allowed to undertake part time duties. When he enlisted he was aged 52 and he downplayed his WW1 service. In fact there was no mention of either his rank or his decoration – simply “3 years AIF Abroad 1914-18 War”. For his service he qualified for the Australia Service Medal although he did not claim this.
He seems to have died in 1961.
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