Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Alfred Thomas Howell ANGEL and Maria Brechin nee TAYLOR

Served in Gallipoli and France

Leslie Roy Angel was born in Norwood, South Australia on the 25 June 1890. His parents, Alfred Thomas Howell Angel and Maria Brechin nee Taylor, lived on Coke Street Norwood South Australia as well as his brother Mervyn Moss Angel who also joined World War 1. Before the war Leslie was a Surveyor’s assistant, he was single and his religion was Unitarian. He was 5 feet and 4 ¾ inches, weighed 65kg, his complexion was fair, he had blue eyes and light brown hair.

His service number was 3711, his rank was private and the unit he was in was Infantry Brigade 7, Field Ambulance 7, Section B. The Field Ambulance usually came under one of the Brigades of the Division so he was under the 4th Field Brigade. The Field Ambulance was responsible for ‘Second Line’ casualty evacuation from ‘First Line’ Regimental Aid Posts (RAP) in each battalion. They were trained in first aid and would have to undergo the same risks as the front line while trying to reach the RAP. There were a number of ways to assist in casualty evacuation from light rail, horse drawn vehicles and even motor vehicles and some times even stretcher borne. He fought in World War 1 in Gallipoli and France.

 A general summary of his time in the war. He enlisted on the 5th May 1915, when he was 24 years old and he embarked on 31st of May 1915 on HMAT Geelong A2 from Sydney. He arrived in August 1915. He joined M.E.P. in Gallipoli on the 4.9.15 but on the 17.10.15 he was admitted to hospital with diarrhea and then was released for a while until he was admitted to the hospital ship with influenza on 7.11.15. He was then transferred and admitted to hospital for influenza in Heliopolis on 13.11.15. He was then released and went back to the 7th Field Ambulance in Ghezieh to serve until he was admitted again to hospital on the 16.12.15. After this on the 14.3.16 he embarked for over seas to Minneapolis, Alexandria. Then he was sent to France to work for the corpse collecting station for the sick and worked there for about 9 months before he was admitted on 30.12.16 to P.U.O. Anzac Casualty Rest Station and he stayed there until he re-joined the 7th Field Ambulance on 6.1.17. He worked with the 7th Field Ambulance until he was killed in action in France on the 5.5.17 aged 26.

 Leslie Roy Angel’s service reflected the ANZAC spirit because he was extremely devoted to his country. He was often sick with the possibility of returning home like some soldiers however he chose to push on and remain on the battlefield. Until he died he constantly worked hard. Even when struck down by illness he continued to return to the 7th Field Ambulance to assist others. Leslie soon became aware of the risks of being at war as his main duty was to collect the wounded soldiers on the frontline in the battle fields. Knowing this he continued to demonstrate his courage and commitment to his country.

Leslie Roy Angel has a memorial at Vaulx Australian Field Ambulance Cemetery, Vaulx, Picardie, France. He is also located at 182 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial and is shown on the honour roll on

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