Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

‘Ever remembered by his wife Marjorie and daughters Nanett and Margaret.’

Leslie was born to parents Sarah Jane and Isaac John Cutchie on the 9th September, 1913 at Hackney, an eastern suburb bordering the parklands of Adelaide. Leslie had five siblings, brother Jack and four sisters, May, Ann, Glad and Lil. Their childhood was challenging with the father having a number of on-going court appearances resulting in jail time.  With the effects of the Great Depression causing hardship for so many families, 19-year-old Les and his 21-year-old friend, Alfred, were caught up almond trees at night at Western’s vineyards, picking almonds and dropping these into kitbags. This was Les’ first and last tangle with the law who had been patrolling the area over successive nights.

Leslie later married young Marjorie Camillia Jameson, described as ‘5 ft. 5 in. in height, of medium build, fair complexion, with fair, long hair, blue eyes, and snub nose.’ He was an integral part of the Jamieson family and much loved by Marjorie’s parents, Lillie and George, who also adored the two young daughters, Nanett and Margaret born to Marjorie and Les.

Leslie was listed as a labourer when he enlisted for WWII on the 29th June, 1940, just prior to his 27th birthday. His older brother Jack also enlisted, becoming SX16467, and serving in the Northern Territory with the 10/48th. Les was assigned the number SX6893, being allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leaver, the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. A fortnight before arriving, Les was admitted to hospital with a skin infection which was treated before the ship arrived on the 17th December 1940. A few months of training for the men then followed in Cyrenaica.

By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk faced with dust, flies, insanitary conditions and rations as well as constant bombardment. Inevitably Les contracted tonsilitis in August, returning to his Battalion.

A month after his 29th birthday, Leslie died of wounds sustained during the fierce fighting over the 25th and 26th October, 1942 in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward. 

John Glenn describes the carnage caused by the chance hit from an enemy shell on a truck loaded with mines.

‘An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. As trucks burned and exploded a great wall of fire shot into the sky. The gun flashes seemed dimmed; night was turned into day. The concussion was terrific. Steve Fitzgerald who was bringing up the mortar truck, which was laden with bombs, was seventy or so yards behind the trucks when the first one went off. His vehicle rocked in the blast, and, blinded by the flash, he was thrown clear out of it and onto the ground. Russ Lucas and Doug Richardson, who were manning a wireless set in a nearby trench, were temporarily stunned, but by gallant effort they got one man out of the trucks. He died in their arms. Parts of their wireless set were never found; the batteries were picked up two hundred yards away. Two thousand mines went up in this explosion; all the war equipment of both B and D Companies was destroyed. Of the ten men who were in the vehicles, not one was saved. ‘ He added:

‘The attack continued, however, without pause…it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.’ A comment was later made that about the heavy casualties. On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia.

The subsequent action between October 25th and 26th meant that the survivors of the horrific explosion and ensuing fighting were not always able to immediately retrieve their fallen men. Les was wounded under these conditions and later died of his injuries.

The Advertiser of 6th November reported that Marjorie ‘of Taylor Street Brompton Park, has been notified that her husband. Pte. L. C. Cutchie, died of wounds on October 26. Pte. Cutchie enlisted in June, 1940 and sailed for overseas in November of the same year. He went through the Libyan and Syrian campaigns, and was then transferred to Egypt, where he was wounded in action.’

A few days later, the Chronicle listed a new set of names of those killed in Action: SX11919 Pte. Sydney M Carter, Med., Solomontown; SX10325 Captain Peter Robbins 2/48th of Malvern; Pte J. L O'Shea, Art. Kapunda; SX5215 Pte. Ross G. Wilkinson, Med. Berri. Died Of Wounds. — SX6893 Pte Leslie C. Cutchie, Inf., Brompton Park; SX6672 Pte. Gordon F. Munday, 2/48th Cowell- SX3917 Sgt. Francis G. Ziesing, 2/48th St. Peters.

Initially Les was buried in the field but on the 19th March ’45 was reburied in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Plot AII Row G Grave 11. His wife, Marjorie chose the inscription ‘Ever remembered by his wife Marjorie and daughters Nanett and Margaret.’ He now rests with Privates F Pearce, SX11265, C Munday SX6672 from the 2/48th and others from the 2/13th, 2/17th and 2/2 who all died at a similar time.

Leslie’s mother Sarah aged 61 died two months after her son in 1944. She was buried at Fawkner Memorial Park in Victoria.

His family, friends and fellow soldiers continued to remember Les in the ensuing years.

Chronicle Thursday 12 November 1942, — Died of wounds, in Egypt, on Oct. 26, Leslie, friend of Mr. and Mrs. Maylin and family, of Thebarton. Always remembered. CUTCHIE. — A loving tribute to Pte. Les Cutchie, A.I.F., died of wounds in Egypt on October 26, beloved brother-in-law of Vera and Dudley Jameson. One of God's best. CUTCHIE. — Died of wounds, Egypt, October 26, Leslie, loved youngest son of Mrs. Cutchie, Norwood. His duty nobly done. — Inserted by his loving mother, sisters, brother (A.I.F.), and brothers in-law, nieces and nephews.  CUTCHIE.—Loving memories of Leslie, who died of wounds, Egypt, Oct. 26, dearly loved brother of Mrs. Haynes, Clarence Park, and brother-in-law of Tom (returned A.I.F.). Treasured memories is all we have left. CUTCHIE. —On Oct. 26, died of wounds, in Egypt, Leslie, dearest friend of Mr. and Mrs. Yon and Mrs. Thompson, of Adelaide. With so many loving and happy memories, how could we ever forget. CUTCHIE. —Treasured memory of my dearest husband, Leslie, died of wounds in Egypt Oct. 26. Dearest daddy of Nannette and Margaret.—Ever remembered by his loving wife and children. CUTCHIE. —Fond memories of Leslie, who gave his life in Egypt on October 26, aged 29 years, beloved son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Jameson. 11 Percy Street, Goodwood. 

Advertiser Tuesday 26 October 1943, CUTCHIE. —A tribute of honor to our son-in-law, Les. killed In action, El Alamein, October 25-26. 1542. His duty nobly done. —Ever remembered by mother, father. Lily, George, and his pal. Op. Sig. A. E. Lynch. AIF. CUTCHIE, Pearce Winn. —In memory of Les, Fred, and Lofty, who fell at Alamein a year ago. Their duty done. — Geoffrey Gardner. CUTCHIE. —Loving memory of Les. died of wounds, El Alamein, Oct. 26, 1943. We bless the years that called him ours, and leave the rest to God. —Ever remembered by his loving mother, sisters, brother (AIF.) CUTCHIE In loving memory of our dear brother-in-law Pte. Les. Cutchie, AIF. who made the supreme sacrifice on Oct. 26 1942 at El Alamein. —Remembered by brother-in-law and sister in-law. Dudley and Vera Jameson. Chronicle 28 October 1943, CUTCHIE. —Sweet memory of my husband, Leslie Charles Cutchie, loving father Nannette, Margaret, killed action. El Alamein, October 25, 1942. His duty nobly done; time drifts on, but memories stay. —Inserted by his loving wife.

Advertiser Thursday 26 October 1944, CUTCHIE, L. C., Pte. 2/48th Batt., killed in action, El Alamein, October 26, 1942. He gave his life that we might live. Ever remembered. —Inserted by in-laws, father, mother, Lily and George. CUTCHIE. —In loving memory of our dear brother Les, who died at El Alamein October 26, 1942. "His duty nobly done." —Inserted by his loving mother, sisters, May, Ann, Glad., Lil, and brother Jack (A.I.F.). CUTCHIE. —In loving memory of our dear brother-in-law Les, killed in action, El Alamein, October 26, 1942. One of the best pals we had. —Ever remembered by Vera and Dud Jameson, Edwardstown. CUTCHIE.—In loving memory of Leslie, killed In action. El Alamein. Oct. 25-26. Twas out upon the battlefield God walked among His flowers; He picked the sweetest one of all, that darling husband and father of ours. —Lovingly remembered by his wife Marjorie, daughters Nannette, Margaret. CUTCHIE. —Treasured memories of dearest Les. died El Alamein. Leaves of memories ever falling softly down the windswept way; lovingly we turn each one and live again sweet yesterdays. Ever remembered by Douglass Thompson and Mrs. Taylor. 

Advertiser Friday 26 October 1945, CUTCHIE, Leslie Charles. —ln loving memory of our dear husband and father, who died at El Alamein, October 25-26. 1942. No one you loved was by your side, to hear your last, faint sigh, or whisper Just a loving word, before you closed your eyes. When last we saw your smiling face, you looked so bright and well, little did we think that was our last farewell. —Sadly missed by his loving wife and daughters. CUTCHIE. —In loving memory of Leslie Charles, who made supreme sacrifice it El Alamein, October 25-26. 1342. They say that time heals sorrow, and helps us to forget, but time, so far. has only proved how much we miss you yet. —Ever remembered by his in-laws, mother father, Lil and George. CUTCHIE, Leslie —Died at El Alamein, dearest friend of Douglass Thompson loving remembrance. 

Advertiser Friday 25 October 1946, WINN. A/Cpl. Henry (Lofty). —ln proud memory of my brother and his mates, Ptes. L. G. Cutchie and F. J. Pearce and the boys of A Coy. 2/48th Batt. who save their lives at El Alamein, Oct. 25-26 1942. In silence we remember. —Sister Phoebe and Chas. CUTCHIE. —In loving memory of Leslie, who died October 25-26. 1942. at El Alamein. He Is not lost, our daddy. Nor has he travelled far, Just stepped inside his heavenly home And left the door ajar. —Ever missed by loving wife and children. Marjorie, Nannett and Margaret. CUTCHIE. —In memory of our son-in-law Leslie, killed at El Alamein October 25-26. 1942. Not Just today, but every day. we remember you. —lnserted by mother-in-law, father-in-law. Lillie and George Jameson.

Advertiser Saturday 25 October 1947, CUTCHIE. —In loving memory of Les, who gave his life at El Alamein. October 25-26th. Just a token true and tender, to show, dear Les, we still remember. — By in-laws. Mr. and Mrs. Jameson, Lily and George 

Advertiser Tuesday 26 October 1948, CUTCHIE. Leslie Charles. 2/48th Btn. —Died Oct. 25-26. 1942. El Alamem. Deep in our hearts is a memory of one we loved and shall never forget. —inserted by mother and father-in-law. Lily and George Jameson CUTCHIE. —In loving memory of Leslie Charles, 2/48th Battalion. killed in action. El Alamein, October 25-26. 1942. A thought for today, a memory for always. —Marj, Nannette and Margaret. 

Researched and written by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.