MCLEISH, Harold Leslie
| Service Number: | 4579 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 November 1916, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 30th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia, 13 February 1902 |
| Home Town: | Adamstown, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | 1941, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Adamstown Methodist Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Nov 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4579, 30th Infantry Battalion, Newcastle, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4579, 30th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4579, 30th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney | |
| 21 Nov 1917: | Wounded GSW (left shoulder) | |
| 19 Jul 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4579, 30th Infantry Battalion, Discovered to be under-age |
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Add my storyBiography
"...4579 Private Harold Leslie McLeish, 30th Battalion... At the age of 14, Pte McLeish forged a letter from his father and he enlisted on 1 November 1916. On 25 November 1916, Pte McLeish embarked on the HMAT Beltana (A72). Whilst serving in France, Pte McLeish received gunshot wounds and, while in hospital, revealed his actual age. Military authorities contacted his father and requested a birth certificate. When he had recovered, Pte McLeish was discharged, aged 16, and was issued the British War Medal and Victory medals." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Pte Harold Leslie McLeish (born 13th February 1902, Adamstown New South Wales, miner from "Edenvilla", Thomas Street, Adamstown, N.S.W., enlisted 1.11.1916, 30th Battalion, Reg No-4579, wounded in action - 21.11.1917 (GSW left shoulder), RTA 5.7.1918, discharged 19.7.1918, underage, died 1941, age 38, state & district unknown, not officially commemorated) also served 1st A.I.F.
"4579 Private Harold Leslie McLeish, 30th Battalion... At the age of 14, Pte. McLeish forged a letter from his mother when he enlisted on the 1st November 1916, stating that his father had died on the 2nd August 1901. On the 25th November 1916, Pte. McLeish embarked on the HMAT Beltana (A72). Whilst serving in France, Pte. McLeish received a gunshot wound and while in hospital, revealed his actual age. Military authorities contacted his father and requested a birth certificate. When he had recovered, Pte McLeish was discharged, aged 16...".
Older brother Private Alexander McLeish, 30th Battalion (Reg No-2405), miner from Wood Street, Adamstown, New South Wales and 143 Kings Road, Adamstown, N.S.W., father of seven (Alice A, Mary A, Dolly (Dorothy A), Alexander, John E, Bob (Robert), Chrissie (Christina M), 3 Grandchildren), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 50, 21st January 1934. METHODIST 3 (UNITING) H. 10.
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