Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

3250 Private Leo Roy Farrell

Bernard Farrell and his brother James emigrated from Ireland in 1878. Bernard’s first wife Elizabeth McNamara died in about 1886 and he then married Mary Ann Stunden in 1888. Bernard was working as a labourer with the South Australian Railways at Manoora when his son Leo was born in 1896. After 20 years as a permanent railway employee at Manoora, Bernard removed to Petersburg with his family in August 1909.

Leo was an 18 year old Locomotive Cleaner, at Petersburg, when he enlisted on 30 August 1915. Prior to this Leo had been serving with 81st Battalion Senior Cadets. He was initially appointed to A Company 2nd Depot Battalion before being posted to 11th Reinforcements 12th Battalion on 16 September. Leo embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT A24 Benalla on 27 October 1915 and on landing in Egypt joined 3rd Training Battalion at Zeitoun. Training continued even after he was taken on strength of the newly formed 52nd Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on 3 March 1916. Three months later Leo and 52nd Battalion embarked from Alexandria on the ship Ivernia and disembarked at Marseilles on 12 June.

The 52nd Battalion fought in its first major battle at Mouquet Farm on 3 September and suffered heavy casualties losing 50 per cent of its fighting force. Leo was one of the lucky ones to survive this first engagement. In February 1917 Leo was detached for duty with the 4th Division School of Instruction in France for four weeks. Three weeks after rejoining his battalion Leo was involved in the attack on the German Lines at Noreuil. Later that year the 52nd Battalion moved to Belgium and was involved in the battle of Messines between 7 and 12 June. Leo had survived these major engagements but his luck ran out on 25 September as the battalion was preparing to mount a major assault in what would become the Battle of Polygon Wood. Leo received gunshot wounds to both thighs and was taken from the field by 3rd Australian Field Ambulance to 10th Casualty Clearing Station. From the north of France he was taken south to be admitted to the 1st Canadian Stationary Hospital at Etaples where he was treated until he embarked for England aboard the Hospital Ship Warilda on 5 October.

Leo was admitted to the Bath War Hospital and a month later transferred to No.3 Auxillary Hospital at Dartford. On 7 November Leo was discharged to No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth and after a week marched out to No.4 Command Depot at Hurdcott. Here Leo faced a court martial after being arrested in January 1918.

Charge:AWL at Hurdcott from 21.12.17 until 4.1.18. Pleaded guilty.  Sentence: To undergo detention for 22 days but remit 14 days detention.   Total forfeiture: 45 days pay

Having served his sentence Leo was sent to the Overseas Training Battalion at Codford and after a week was attached to 4th Division Signals School. On 29 May Leo was taken on the strength of 49th Battalion from 52th Battalion but again went absent without leave and was court martialled for a second time.

Offence: Codford 11.7.18. AWL from 2400 10/7/18 until 8.45am 17.7.18.  Award: 21 days  Field Punishment No.2. Total forfeiture: 27 days pay

With the war at an end Leo marched into the 2nd Training Brigade to prepare for his return to Australia. He embarked from Liverpool on 19 February 1919 and disembarked from HMT Orca in Adelaide on 29 March. Leo was discharged on 28 May 1919 after serving for 3 years and 272 days with 3 years and 161 days having been abroad.

Leo returned to Peterborough and married Doreen May McKenna  in 1922. Leo and Doreen relocated to Morphettville where Doreen died on 22 May 1978. 

Leo is remembered on the South Australian Railways Honour Board in Peterborough Town Hall, on an honour board in St. Anacletus Catholic Church and on a monument in Main Street, Peterborough.