BRIGGS, Leonard James
| Service Number: | 1047 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 April 1915, An original member of D Company |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 26th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Devonport, Tasmania, Australia, 17 September 1895 |
| Home Town: | Longford, Northern Midlands, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 20 February 1932, aged 36 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cornelian Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, Tasmania |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1047, 26th Infantry Battalion, An original member of D Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 1047, 26th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 1047, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Aeneas, Brisbane |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Leonard James Briggs was one of four family members who served in the AIF during WW1. His brother, 180 Corporal Guy Alfred Briggs 12th Battalion AIF, had been killed at the Anzac landing on Gallipoli. Another brother Lieutenant Edgar Charles Briggs served with the 12th Battalion AIF. His father 1072 Pte. Alfred Henry Briggs also enlisted at the age of 50 and served in Egypt with the 1st Australian Remount Unit.
Leornard joined the 26th Battalion and served in Gallipoli and Egypt before being sent to the Western Front.
He was three times wounded during 1916 and 1917: firstly, in Belgium in May 1916; secondly at Pozieres in France in August 1916; and the third time more seriously in March 1917 near Le Sars in France, a bomb wound to the shoulder. Len spent the next 12 months in England recovering from his wounds and undertaking courses. By March 1918, he was sent back to France.
Leonard rose through the ranks to Sergeant and won a Military Medal. His recommendation was for ‘displayed great initiative and brilliant leadership during the operation on 3rd October 1918, near Beaurevoir east of Peronne. Early in the action his platoon officer became a casualty, and he immediately assumed command and led his men with great dash. He pushed forward with a few men and established a strong post which he held under very trying conditions until relieved. All this party were wounded, leaving Briggs along. He used a Lewis gun very effectively on many occasions, and more especially when the enemy were massing for a counter attack. He displayed real coolness and courage throughout, thereby setting a fine example to all his men.'
Len returned home to Tasmania during July 1919. He married and had one child but died in 1932 from lung problems at the age of 36.
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