LEY, Donald Alexander
| Service Number: | 4218 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 February 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 23rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Carapook, Victoria, Australia, 17 May 1898 |
| Home Town: | Casterton, Glenelg, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Carapook State School |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Hamilton, Victoria, Australia, 26 May 1954, aged 56 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Boram Boram Cemetery, Penshurst, Victoria |
| Memorials: | Carapook Church Roll of Honor, Carapook State School Roll of Honour, Dunrobin Honor Board, Glenelg, Casterton & Sandford Division No 29 Sons of Temperance Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4218, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 4218, 23rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 4218, 23rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wiltshire, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Charles Arthur LEY and Annie LEY nee COTTER, Dunrobin, Casterton, Victoria
Husband of Virtue Mary Jane "Dot" LEY nee SEALEY, Corndale, Casterton, Victoria.
Born at Carapook 17th May 1887, Donald was the son of Annie (Cotter) and Charles Arthur Ley. He enlisted on the 5th March 1915 and served with the 5th D.A.C. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 7th March 1916. On 26th May 1916 he was appointed Driver. Donald was appointed Acting Bombardier on 26th November 1916. He returned to Australia on the “Orontes” on May 15th 1919 and was discharged 28th June 1919. In 1920 Donald married Virtue Sealy. One of the original Soldier Settlers at Minhamite Donald was a keen judge of poultry which he exhibited with success at district shows. Over later years he became foreman with the Country Roads Board Shire of Mount Rouse until health prevented these duties. He died at Gatum 26th May 1954.
In 1912 the family moved to Dunrobin and in August 1914 he inlisted in the A.I.F. He was amongst the first three to enlist from this district and one of the original soldier settlers at Minhamite. On his return from a long period of service abroad he married Miss Virtue SEALEY, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William SEALEY, of Corndale. They made their home at Penshurst where he engaged in farming and grazing pursuits for some time and finally became a foreman with the Country Roads Board Shire of Mount Rouse. He retired about two years ago due to ill health. In addition to his widow he leaves a family of three. They are George ( wife Ina nee PARFREY ), Nancy and youngest, Dawn FORBES, wife of Douglas FORBES.
Following a service at the Penshurst Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. K. SHUEY who later conducted the burial service, the funeral took place at the Boram Boram cemetery on Saturday ( 29th ) afternoon. Over thirty returned soldiers formed a guard of honor and the burial ritual was read by Mr.C. ROSS. Mr I. W. GUNN sounded the" Last Post " and coffen-bearers were Messers Frank NICOLSON, L. McINNES, C. HUDGSON and A. L. KING. Mortuary arrangements were carried out by F. GREED and SON.
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