BIRKETT, Leslie John
| Service Number: | 376 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 August 1914, Pontville, Tasmania |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Lefroy, Tasmania, 1893 |
| Home Town: | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Zeehan Convent School |
| Occupation: | Letter carrier |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Bullecourt, France, 5 May 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" No known grave, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hobart Postmaster General's Department Glorious Dead Honour Roll, Hobart Postmaster-General's Department WW1 Honour Roll, Hobart Roll of Honour, Launceston Cenotaph, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 376, Pontville, Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Hobart | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Wounded Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW (knee) | |
| 18 Oct 1915: | Wounded Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, 2nd occasion - GSW (neck) | |
| 6 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières | |
| 5 May 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 376, 12th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second) |
Father's Letter to Base Records Melbourne
93 Canning St
Launceston
23-1-22
To
The Officer I/C
Base Records
Melbourne
Dear Sir
My only son, the late Sergt Les. Jno. Birkett No 367 or 76 12th Battaliion Killed at Bullecourt was unfortunately for me, married, before he joined up and since his death The Widow, remarried and not knowing if she is interested in his medals or decorations sufficiently to claim them, as I have not received any thing whatever from The Authorities and have not as much as a brass button to remember him by he was my only hope in life.
I beg to put in this clim for anything of his that may be unclaimed.
I do not know anything of his widow or her whereabouts.
Yours faithfully
Jno. F. Birkett
Submitted 28 September 2014 by Robyn Pryce-Jones
Father's Letter to Minister of Defence
Leslie John BIRKETT - Father's letter, 5 May 1919
Launceston
Tasmania
5-5-17
To The Honorable
The Officer I/C
Minister of Defense
Melbourne
Dear Sir
My son Pioneer Sergeant Les. Jno. Birkett No 676 12th Battaliion AIF left Hobart per SS Geelong 1914. Was at the landing at Gallipoli and twice wounded there, was at The Camp at Tel el Keber Egypt. Then in some of the big battles in France or Belgium was on H Quarters Staff for some time and was killed at Bullecourt.
I write to ask you if it is possible to have a photo of the place where he and others are buried or his grave alone. He was my only son one of Australia's best. Also to whom will his Medals, Bars, etc if any be sent as an old soldier I would like to know so they can be honoured.
His Mother does not know I am writing this but it would be some consolation to know that he was decently buried. Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours faithfully
Jno. F. Birkett
93 Canning St
Submitted 28 September 2014 by Robyn Pryce-Jones
Biography
Nephew: 2666 Pte Spencer Stanley SMITH, 58th Bn, killed in action, 4 October 1917.
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