THOMPSON, Leslie James
| Service Number: | 2751 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 March 1916, Lismore, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 52nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | South Grafton, New South Wales, 19 November 1895 |
| Home Town: | South Grafton, Clarence Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Grafton State School and Grafton High School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 10 June 1917, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" No known grave, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium, Bethleem Farm West Cemetery, Flanders, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Grafton Primary School Great War Honor Roll, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient) |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2751, Lismore, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2751, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Oct 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2751, 52nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 10 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2751, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines |
Newspaper Personal Column
News to the effect that Sergeant Leslie James Thompson, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Thompson, of South Grafton, had made the supreme sacrifice, was received yesterday by the Rev. G. E. Ure and conveyed to his parents. Deceased was in his twenty-second year, and was an ex-student of the Grafton High School. In the athletic world he stood out, especially in pedestrian events and football. In the latter sport be was well-known, and several times was selected in representative teams. In military matters he always manifested a great interest, and his zeal in this direction resulted in his being granted a commission in the 12th Infantry, at the early age of nineteen years. His participation in the world war only extended over twelve months, and if he had lived there was no doubt but that he would have shortly been granted a commission, which object he held in view on going into camp. He went through the school of instruction, and elected to go to the front in a non-commissioned rank, he then being too young for the more responsible position. - The Daily Examiner, Grafton, issue dated Wednesday July 4, 1917.
Submitted 15 December 2016 by John Johnston
Biography contributed by John Johnston
Sergeant Leslie James THOMPSON is remembered on the headstone of his father's grave in South Grafton Cemetery, Bent Street, South Grafton. Leslie was born at South Grafton on November 19, 1895 the son of Henry and Martha Thompson. Leslie embarked at Sydney on H.M.A.T. Ceramic on October 7, 1916. He was killed in action on June 10, 1917 when the 52nd Battalion crossed the Messines Ridge in support of the 50th Battalion.
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