WILKINSON, Leslie George
| Service Number: | 1706 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 44th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mathoura, New South Wales, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 10 June 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bridgetown Memorial Park, Bridgetown Methodist Church Honor Roll, Bridgetown War Memorial, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient) |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 1706, 44th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Suevic embarkation_ship_number: A29 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 1706, 44th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suevic, Fremantle |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Geoff Tilley
Leslie George Wilkinson was born Mathoura New South Wales, which is in the Murray Valley, situated north of the Victorian border town of Echuca on the Murray River.
He moved with his parents to Bridgetown in Western Australia. It was from here that Leslie wanted to enlist into the AIF. Due to his age, 20 years he required his parents consent to enlist, which they reluctantly gave. Leslie enlisted in February 1916 with 44th Battalion, embarking with the 1st Reinforcements from Fremantle on HMAT Suevic in June 1916. He arrived in Plymouth England in July 1916 where he was taken on strength with the battalion in November 1916.
By June 1917 the Battalion was sent forward to Belgium to be involved in the Battle of Messines commencing on 7th June 1917. The battalion was positioned on the frontline to the left of Ploegsteert Woods. It was at this position near Prowse Point that Private Leslie George Wilkinson was killed in action by an exploding shell on 10th June 1917. Red Cross file records that he was buried, and that a cross was put up. He has no known grave and he is remembered with his name on the Menin Gate Ypres Memorial Belgium. He was only 21 years of age.
Enlistment age for Australians during the First World War, men had to be of age of 21 years. However, if parent’s consent was given Australians could enlist with the AIF from 18 – 21 years of age.
On researching Leslie’s service records, I located a letter written by his father giving him consent to enlist into the AIF. It must have been with a heavy heart that his father Harry wrote this letter to his son, describing his mother’s anguish of his anxious to enlist.
I could not begin to understand their pain and upon reading this letter, we are remined of soldiers sacrifices during the great war but often forget mothers and father’s grief for their loved ones who lay in a faraway land.
I am hoping that Private Leslie George Wilkinson parents can take some comfort that he has not been forgotten.
Transcirpit of Letter from NAA File.
Dated January 19th, 1916
Dear Leslie
Your wire to hand re your enlisting. Well lad your seem anxious to go but I can tell you it’s a big sacrifice for us to make to give our consent to you going although I think its either you go now on your own free will or be compelled to go later on.
So we have decided to give the consent you have asked for. But we would like you to get your holidays first and come home. I would not leave your job. Ask for extended leave, you will never go back on the telephone again when you return, and it will be better to have something to go back too than have anything they will grant you the leave to enlist.
Les I am not going write any more until we see you. Mum is about broke up. Good by lad for the present. Hoping to see you soon.
From your loving … parents
J & H Wilkinson
Wishing you many happy returns of your birthday.
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