Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

UNIT NUMBER 5153 Les Mann originated from Geelong Victoria. Born in 1891 to parents Ernest and Emma, he was the second of five children. The family moved to Margaret River and a bought property they called “Brookwood”. Les bought a property just south of the current town site and was a neighbor to the Andrews brothers. Quite the accomplished carpenter, Les helped Lance and Chris build their homestead and the friends experimented in tobacco growing. The outbreak of war came and Les, aged 25, went to Bunbury to enlist on February 4 1916. Les experienced a short training period at Blackboy Hill and after only seven weeks, on March 31,he was off overseas aboard HMAT A9 “Shropshire” as a member of the 16th Battalion, 16th Reinforcements. At least he had company from home sailing with him. William Sparks, William Crellin and Ned Higgins from the 11th Battalion were also on board. Les disembarked at Folkestone and in mid May Les was a part of the Cyclists Corps as an Acting Corporal. Whilst in England he must also have met and fell in love with Emily Walden. On December 12 1916 he was sent to France where he rejoined the 16th, reverting to the rank of private. He was in time to fight in the Battle of Verdun. Lasting a total of 303 days with an average of 70,000 casualties a month, Verdun became one of the longest and most costly battles in history. During 1917 Les continued fighting with his unit in Belgium as they battled toward the Hindenburg Line. In April they suffered heavy losses at Bullecourt when an advance against strongly fortified German troops took a heavy toll when promised tank support did not eventuate. By September Les was on leave. He married Emily on September 29 1917 but his honeymoon was short. He was back fighting by October 10th. Suffering the bitterest winter ever recorded, Les was busy repulsing the German spring offensive in March and April. By June they were fighting around Hamel and in August the last push at Amiens and Beaupaume saw the war come to an end a few weeks later. Les received leave in September and was repatriated home in June 1919. He and Emily settled into country life living in what is now the centre of town and producing three sons, Reginald, Leslie and Brian. Les went into partnership with his brother Arthur and created a building company. Some of their work resulted in the Anglican Parish Hall, the Church of England, the Sisters of Hungary Convent and the Margaret River Bakehouse. When the Depression came, Les went to Perth for a while to work for Donald J Chipper, carpenters as well as undertakers. During the worst of the Depression he was on the dole, but finally found work with the Public Works Department where he did all the renovations to Parliament House in the time of Sir Charles Gairdner (who he thought was a lovely old fellow. Just an ordinary man.) Les was a keen musician and loved band music. It was a passion he enjoyed all of his life. Les passed away on March 22 1967 aged 76. Emily had predeceased him by two years, passing away in 1965 aged 72. 1914/15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal