Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Private Will Herrick, recently on the Post-office staff here, and who was a member of the First Expeditionary Forces, and wounded in action, writes to Miss Maisie Papley from the Australian Military Hospital, Cairo, as follows:
'Just a few lines to express my profound sympathy with you all in the loss of poor Lennie. You have, I suppose, been acquainted by the War office ere this of his loss in action. I am now lying in hospital wounded, and took this opportunity of writing you and letting you have the facts. On the 25th April while in the trenches the snipers had been very troublesome picking off our men, and Len together with others, had been doing great work picking off these snipers. Just before nightfall, however, I am sorry to say, a sniper saw Len looking for them through a pair of field glasses, and shot him through the head. Death was instantaneous, and you will be glad to know that he did not suffer, Although I lost many pals in battle there, none touched me so much as poor Len's, as you will remember we were pals for years in Portland,afterwards at Broadmeadows and Egypt, and later in the firing line. You will also be sorry to hear of the death of Gordon Hawkins. Ray Keiller, Jack Bailey and Jack Kerr are also wounded, all three of them. I know your grief will be great, but I want you all to remember, while you are sorrowing like thousands of other sad hearts in Australia, that he died fighting for his country under the old flag, you will also know and appreciate the facts that after doing splendid work in severe bayonet charges, under heavy fire, he died a true soldier's death, rifle in hand, doing his duty nobly and well. and that the whole company misses him.'"

Sourced from the "Portland Guardian" Friday 9th July 1915. (trove.nla.gov.au)

"It is with regret we announce the death of Private Leonard Papley, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Papley, of this town, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles. The deceased was born in Portland and educated at All Saints School. He was a member of the naval cadets and passed into the naval militia. He was one of the first to volunteer for the first expeditionary force which went to New Guinea, and later joined the D Company, 6th Battalion, Infantry Brigade, of the first expeditionary force, and left by the S.S Hororata, which was being being convoyed by the warship Sydney, when the latter sank the Emden. Private Papley was a member of the Social Amusement and Portland Football Clubs, and took an active part in promoting the social life of the naval cadets. He was for some time employed as letter carrier at the local post office. Our brave young townsman was a general favourite, His happy and genial disposition winning him many warm friends. The deepest sympathy is felt for the bereaved family in their great loss."

Sourced from the "Portland Observer and Normanby Observer" Thursday 17th June 1915. (trove.nla.gov.au)