PLAYER, Leslie Martyn
| Service Numbers: | 5156, Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 July 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 13th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gilberton, Adelaide South Australia, 24 December 1891 |
| Home Town: | Neutral Bay, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | St Peters College, Hackney and University of Sydney |
| Occupation: | Bank Accountant |
| Died: | Darling Point, Sydney New South Wales, 24 March 1981, aged 89 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour Book, Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5156, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 5156, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Embarked on SS Makarini from Sydney on 1st April 1916, disembarking Suez, Egypt on 2nd May 1916. | |
| 8 Oct 1916: |
Embarked
AIF WW1, Private, 5156, Proceeded to France. Prior to this he had transferred from Egypt to Hayling Island, England to attend the School of Instruction and Musketry School. |
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| 16 Oct 1916: |
Promoted
AIF WW1, Corporal, 3rd Infantry Battalion, A number of rank changes had occurred prior to this promotion |
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| 20 Oct 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
| 27 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
| 17 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 13th Infantry Battalion, Gun shot wound to left leg. Treated at 14th Stationary Hospital and the transferred to England for treatment. Regjoined unit on 16th September 1917. | |
| 4 Nov 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Jul 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 13th Infantry Battalion, Wounded in action, second occasion gun shot wound to right arm. Treated initially by 13th Field Ambulance then transferred to 47th Casualty Clearing Station. Rejoined unit on 8th July 1918. | |
| 8 Aug 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 13th Infantry Battalion, Wounded in action, 3rd occasion but remained on duty. | |
| 7 Nov 1918: |
Honoured
Military Cross, Lieut. Leslie Martyn PLAYER 'In the operations near MORCOURT on the night 10/11th August, 1918, Lieut. PLAYER displayed great courage and resource. His platoon was on the left flank of his Battalion which has just moved forward and occupied a new line. Soon after teh position was occupied an enemy machine gun commenced to enfilade the trench and caused considerable annoyance and some casualties. With commendable promptitude and initiative Lieut. PLAYER led two men forward captured the gun and killed the crew." D.G. MARKS Lieut.-Colonel C.O. 13th Battalion A.I.F. E.G. SINCLAIR MACLAGAN Major-General Commanding 4th Australian Division |
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| 1 May 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 13th Infantry Battalion, Embarked for return to Australia on "China" from England on 1st May 1919, disembarking Melbourne on 8th June 1919 for Sydney. | |
| 29 Dec 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 13th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Leslie Martyn PLAYER's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
LESLIE MARTYN PLAYER was born on 24th December, 1891, at Adelaide, South Australia. He was educated at St. Peter’s College, Adelaide, and the University of Sydney. He entered the service of the Bank in July, 1909, at Kalgoorlie, W.A., and was transferred in August, 1914, to the Inspector’s staff at the Head Office. He was appointed ledger-keeper at Ryde, New South Wales, in October, 1914, and transferred to Moruya, as teller, in June, 1915.
Leslie Martyn Player enlisted on 19th July, 1915, and was a member of the 13th Battalion of the A.I.F. He served in France with distinction and was promoted to corporal in May, 1916; to second-lieutenant on 27th April, 1917, and to lieutenant on 3rd October, 1917. For his bravery in leading two men and rushing a German machine-gun position, killing the crew, and capturing the gun, Lieutenant Player was awarded the Military Cross.
Source - Bank of NSW Roll of Honour
Military Cross
'For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. After a position had been occupied, an enemy machine gun commenced to enfilade the trench. With great dash and promptitude he led two men forward and captured the gun and killed the crew.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 4 March 1919
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