MCLEENAN, John
| Service Number: | 3404 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 13th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 14 May 1893 |
| Home Town: | North Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Driver |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 11 August 1971, aged 78 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Ryde, New South Wales Section 5, Row 11. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3404, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3404, 13th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
| 13 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3404, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Sydney | |
| 19 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3404, 13th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John McLeenan from North Sydney joined the 13th Battalion in Egypt in early 1916. He was awarded a Military Medal as a Battalion Runner during the heavy fighting at Mouquet Farm.
“In the operations north west of Pozieres 29th/30th August, 1916, this man was a Battalion Runner. He worked for 48 hours without rest and was continually exposed to the greatest danger from shells and snipers. His courage and devotion to duty are very highly recommended.”
John was recommended for a Bar to the Military Medal, again acting as a Battalion Runner during the attack on Stormy Trench by the 13th Battalion in early 1917. He did not receive an award for this recommendation, nor did Private Jackson.
“In the attack on Stormy Trench, east of Gueudecourt on night 4/5th of February, 1917, Private McLeenan greatly distinguished himself as a Battalion Runner, repeatedly carrying messages from advanced Battalion Headquarters to the assaulting Companies, and later across the open to the captured position, each time through an intense and heavy barrage and across areas swept by hostile machine gun fire. About two hours after the attack was launched, a message to O.C. Support Company was brought back, the runner stating that the Officer had been killed and his trench was a shambles. Privates McLeenan and Jackson then volunteered to take the message and endeavour to deliver it to the next in Command. On the way they met the Lewis Gun Officer and a man taking over two Lewis Guns to the new line. The Lewis Gun Officer was wounded and McLeenan and Jackson then volunteered to get the guns through after delivering their message. Jackson was wounded in the attempt.”
John went right through the war unwounded and was returned to Australia during March 1919. He married in 1928, raised a daughter, and was still living in North Sydney, New South Wales.
He enlisted for service during WW2 as N103806 Lance Corporal John McLeenan and was discharged in 1943. In 1950 he was an Alderman on the Holroyd City Council. John McLeenan passed away in 1971 at 78 years of age.
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