Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie was the son of John Joseph and Ellen Kelly, of Brandon, Queensland. The parents ran the main hotel in Brandon, the Club Hotel, and Leslie gave his occupation as barman when he enlisted.

His older brother, 3048 Pte. John William Kelly 47th Battalion AIF, died of wounds a few months after the death of Leslie, at Messines, Belgium, on 7 June 1917, age 24.

Leslie joined the 26th Battalion at the front just before Christmas 1916, during a very cold winter. He was reported missing after the Second Battle of Bullecourt, the scene of much heavy fighting.

The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported on 22 September 1917.

Mr J.J. Kelly, of the Club Hotel, Brandon, on receiving advice that his son, Leslie, had been reported missing sent a cable asking for particulars. In reply he has now received a letter from General Sir W.E. Birdwood, in the course of which the Anzac commander states: “I have been making enquiries, but regret that I have been unable to elicit any further information beyond what you already know, that he was reported missing on May 3. On that day he took part with his battalion in the successful attack we made on portion of the Hindenburg line near Bullecourt. Having reached the objective, the fighting was most severe, as the Germans launched one counter-attack after another, until they were completely repulsed. In portions of the trenches, however, we sometimes had to give ground in fierce hand to hand fighting against a large number of the enemy, and though, sooner or later, these positions were regained, a certain number of our men were lost trace of and among these, I fear, was included your son. On this occasion I do not think that any of our men were taken prisoners, though, of course, there may have been a few but I think we should have received advice of them now from Germany. As we have no such news of your boy, it would be quite wrong of me to attempt to buoy you up with hopes that he is still alive, and I fear there is little doubt that he fell in the fighting on that day. I know that words of sympathy can be of little help in the great loss which you have sustained, but I feel sure you will derive some consolation from the fact that your boy willingly answered the call of country, and gave his life fighting gallantly for the cause of justice and freedom.” Mr Kelly has also received a letter from Private A. James, of Ayr, who states he was with Leslie Kelly bomb throwing when the latter was killed. Private James later went to look for his mate, but could find no trace of him.

A witness in Kelly’s Red Cross wounded and missing file was very blunt about what had occurred.

“Casualty was in my platoon. He was killed on the 3rd May, 1917, at Bullecourt by H.E. shell whilst holding an outpost. I do not know where he was buried, I doubt it. (Casualty got a 5.0” shell all to himself)” Lieut. G.J. Royal, 26th Battalion.

Leslie was officially named as killed in action 3 May 1917, by a Court of Enquiry held by the 26th Battalion in December 1917.