Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LESLIE ROBERTS who was killed in action at Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium, on 30th April 1917 was the son of Mr. W. J. Roberts of Brighton. He was born in 1889 and was at the School in 1902-3. He was a most popular boy, and a splendid boxer.

After leaving School he went into the service of Dalgety, & Co. He was an excellent hockey player, and represented Victoria against New South Wales for three years. He gained his commission after obtaining preliminary experience in the Amateur Athletic Rifle Club on 17th January 1916, and before leaving for the front as Lieutenant in 39th Battalion, to which rank he was promoted on 1st May
1916, did much valued work training recruits.

He was promoted to Captain on 5th April 1917. His mate, H. Van Assche (No. 3633 on the School Roll), writing to Mr. Roberts, says: "The circumstances under which he met his death were as follow: The company to which he belonged since he was made Captain a
few days ago was posted to a certain sector immediately in front of the well-known Ploegsteert Wood, and Les was doing his turn as officer of the watch for the first time. He had just taken over at 3 a.m. from one of his company officers when the Boches at 4.10 a.m., after a furious bombardment, made a determined attack in
force in that particular part of the line of which Les was in charge, and it was due to his personal bravery, example and coolness that his men were able to drive off the enemy, who failed dismally in their designs. Unfortunately, dear old Les was one of the heroes whose wound was fatal. A shrapnel pellet, cutting the strap
of his gas helmet, penetrated through his left breast and pierced his heart, so that death was almost instantaneous. In fact he only had time to urge his men on to greater efforts when he ceased to live.

He was buried the same afternoon at 5 p.m. by Chaplain-Captain Best in the outskirts of the wood. I have lost the whitest,
straightest man I ever had the good fortune to possess as a real pal. He did his duty to the last." Brigadier-General McNicoll wrote thus: "Captain Roberts has been for eight months on my brigade staff, and I looked upon him as one of the best infantry officers in the brigade. He was largely responsible for thej successful training of the many raiding parties of this brigade, and was often actively connected
with actual conduct of the raid, showing at all times an absolute fearlessness and disregard of danger. His genial disposition won the affection, as his military efficiency the admiration, of all with whom he came in contact, and his loss is very deeply felt throughout the whole brigade."