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Geoffrey was born in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton on the 17th February, 1907, the third of five sons of Raymond and Edith Louise. His siblings included Raymond (Lionel) Laybourn, Kenneth Morton, twins Benjamin David and Alan William Henderson (both named after uncles killed in WWI) and a sister, Betty. Geoffrey’s father, Raymond had served in the Great War as Captain in the 11th Infantry Battalion. He was one of the first men ashore at Anzac Cove, shortly after dawn on 25 April 1915. Leane's leadership, courage and coolness under fire had impressed many and he was awarded the Military Cross. Four of his brothers also served in that war, with one, Benjamin being killed at Bullecourt.
Post the Great War, Raymond became Chief Commissioner of Police in South Australia in May 1920, also commanded the 3rd Infantry Brigade in Adelaide from 1921 to 1926, when he was placed on the unattached list. This background of military service was to be a huge influence on his sons and his future son-in-law.
As did all the brothers, Geoffrey attended St Peter’s College, where his interest in boxing was fostered. This skill also came to the fore in army contests where he won a championship competition. He became a lieutenant in the 48th Battalion, then in ’28 he and his older brother, Raymond, known as Lionel, both joined the mounted police force which trained at Port Adelaide.
Geoff married Lorna Browne, a Nicholls Street Kindergarten Teacher. The evening ceremony was held in the Nicholls Street Methodist Church at Broken Hill in May ’31. Two years later, his sister, Betty married Aubery (Bill) Clutterbuck in ’33. In later years, the two were to serve together in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Bill’s own father was deceased, but Raymond was a major influence on his sons’ and Bill’s military careers.
Lorna and Geoffrey’s daughter, Peggy was born in March ’32 to a most unusual welcome with the News posing a question in their report of the birth. ‘Will She be a Policewoman? If ever a child was born with a silver spoon in its mouth; Peggy Leane, aged six days, must have been born with a silver whistle in her mouth---or a pair of handcuffs in her hand. Not only is her father a policeman, but her uncle and her grandfather are policemen, too. And her grandfather is not only a policeman, but the Commissioner of Police (Brig. Gen. R. L. Leane). So Peggy will have a lot to live up to when she, grows up. She could never be a fast girl--her father, Geoffrey Leane, is a speed cop, and very. active at that. Uncle Lionel is a mounted man and has now been appointed to the Criminal Investigation Branch.’
In comparison, their son, Bruce Malcolm arrived with less fanfare in January ’34.
Various reports of Geoff undertaking his role as Plainclothes Constable were reported in the print media. In one, a light-fingered recidivist, not knowing Geoff’s boxing ability, came out the worse trying to escape arrest. He fronted court nursing a large purple discoloration under his left eye, admitted previous convictions in South Australia and New South Wales. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment on two of the larceny charges. Sentences of six months' imprisonment for the other larceny charge, three months for the assault charge, and one month for refusing to give his name and address were made concurrent.
During WWI, four of Raymond’s brothers had enlisted. The expectation, therefore, was also that all of his five sons would do the same. Whist all did volunteer, two, Raymond (Lionel) and Alan were rejected on medical grounds.
Aged 33, Geoff enlisted on the 6th May ’40 as SX2891 and by July had completed a Driving and Maintenance Course at Woodside with an exceptional score of 91%. Initially posted to the 2/27th Battalion, he officially joined the newly formed 2/48th in September.
His two younger brothers had already enlisted on the 3rd November ’39. Benjamin as SX1023 eventually serving with the 2/2nd Reserve Motor Company. He was to be captured in Singapore and held in the notorious Changi Prison, being fortunate to survive. He was eventually discharged 19th November 45. His twin, Alan was a renowned Adelaide pianist and composer and continued to use these skills to raise funds though concerts.
Kenneth enlisted on the same date, lowering his age by a year to ensure he was accepted. He served as SX1196 in the 2/10th Battalion, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Ken was the first of the brothers to leave Australia with the 2/10th Battalion. Like Geoff, he became one of the highly respected Rats of Tobruk for his service in the Middle East. He was discharged on the 25th Sept 45.
The outbreak of WWII also prompted the formation of the new 2/48th Battalion. Highly regarded retail store, John Martin’s offered their ballroom for a Regimental Ball in October ’40, with proceeds going to the purchase of drums for the battalion band. Whilst the new enlistees were training at Woodside, Geoffrey’s father, in his official capacity as Brig-General R.L. Leane, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.C., V.D., commander of the original WWI 48th Battalion, presented the corps of drums and the flag of the original 48th Battalion to the newly formed 2/48th. This was especially significant as Lieutenant Geoffrey was the second in command of the company. (Geoff later rose to the rank of Captain in October ‘40.). By the time the Stratheden sailed for the Middle East, Bill held the full title of Captain in the new 2/48th Battalion.
Geoff and Bill arrived in the Middle East on the 17th December that year and Geoff was immediately involved in Special Duties. Over the ensuing year he attended Tactical School while back home the King approved him being mentioned ‘in recognition of Distinguished Service in the Middle East’. His service did not come without some ill-health because of the food and poor conditions which caused laryngitis. He and the, by then, highly regarded 2/48th Battalion finally returned to Australia in October ’42. Soon after, Geoff was appointed to the rank of Major.
Accolades for the new battalion were soon being shared by the Commissioner of Police in the May ’41 edition of the Advertiser. Colonel W.J. Windeyer wrote to his father, enclosing a copy of a commendation by the General Commanding the 9th Division. A.I.F., as follows: "My compliments to you and your battalion on the splendid show which you have put up this week. That you stood so firm and. have been so resolute has been of the utmost importance and does you great credit" —L. S. Moreshead. General. G.O.C., 9th Aust. Div. Praise for the Second 48th has also come from an officer of another unit, who wrote: —"Windeyer's 48th Battalion is doing a marvellous job. It has genuinely made a name for itself. Everybody knows it by its exploits. Unfortunately, I can say no more." General Leane himself has a personal interest in the news, as commander the original 48th, as Captain Geoffrey Leane, and son-in-law, Captain V. Clutterbuck. were both serving with the battalion.’

On the 29th May ’41 Captain Geoff returned from duty in movement control in Alexandria and took over command of D Company. By that time, the 2/48th had captured almost 1,400 prisoners.
In August ’41 Geoff was fighting in the Salient to reach the Water Tower wadi. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how the days were unbearably hot. ‘Conditions in the Salient were particularly bad, and at nights cases of heat exhaustion had to be evacuated from the forward posts. This was the fifth month of the siege, and conditions were telling on the men. To add to this there was a marked increase in enemy fire from mortars, artillery and machine guns, and our casualties were mounting.’ He wrote of the unselfish bravery of Clarrie Duffield. ‘Headquarters came under particularly heavy fire. A shell made a direct hit on a section of trench occupied by the company commander, Captain Geoff Leane and Private Ron Smith. Ron was wounded and Captain Leane was helping him to the protection of another trench when Clarrie saw them. He immediately left the shelter of his own post and ran, regardless of the shelling, to the assistance of his company commander and the wounded man. He was hit by a shell splinter, but half blinded by dust and smoke, continued on and succeeded in getting Ron back to the Regimental Aid Post and the care of Captain Dawkins. For this and other acts of bravery Duffield was awarded the Military Medal.’
By May, ’42, Captain Geoff Leane was mentioned in despatches for his conspicuous service in the Middle East. The Mail reported that ‘Capt. Leane. who returned recently after having been abroad for 16 months, was in Tobruk for seven months. He was in the militia for 15 years before joining the A.I.F. He was a detective before enlistment. His eldest brother. Detective Lionel Leane. tried to join the A.I.F. with Capt. Leane but was rejected for medical reasons. All General Leane's five sons enlisted or volunteered. Lieut. Ken Leane has just got back after service in the Middle East. Sgt. Ben Leane is missing in Malaya, Capt. A. V. Clutterbuck. husband of Gen. Leane's only daughter, is still abroad. Gen. Leane was mentioned in despatches eight times in the last war and was three times wounded in action. He won the D.S.O. with bar, the Military Cross, and the Croix de Guerre.’
Service in New Guinea followed before, again, Geoff’s bravery and leadership was officially recognised in December ’43, being Mentioned in Despatches ‘for gallant and distinguished services in the South-West Pacific Area’. Geoff was finally discharged on the 21st June ‘45
Back home in June ’45 there was added cause for celebration when Geoff’s father was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honour List. He became Brigadier-General Sir Raymond Leane. A brief summary of his service was given in the press. ‘Sir Raymond. who was wounded in action in the last war three times and was mentioned in despatches eight times. comes from a fighting family.’ Raymond’s wife had also given countless hours of service during both wars with the Cheer Up Hut.
At the time of the announcement, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Leane has just been discharged after having served in the 2/48 Battalion in the Middle East and New Guinea. where he earned two mentions in despatches. Sergeant Ben Leane was taken prisoner when Singapore fell and at that stage, his parents had no news of him for a year. Lieutenant Kenneth Leane went through Tobruk with the 2/10 Battalion. Sir Raymond's son-in-law Major A. V. Clutterbuck served in the Middle East and New Guinea.
Of note is the exceptional praise of Geoff’s indefatigable leadership in movement control, organising both the Dock area at Moresby but also the Air Transport at Milne Bay. His efficiency and tireless energy working with American Troops was highly praised. He carried out the entire duties of discharging ships and organising transport on land. Resultantly, Geoff was ordered off duty to protect his own health.
Following his discharge, Lieutenant Colonel Geoff became a member of the Adelaide C.I.B. as did his brother, Detective Raymond. Geoff faced many extremely challenging situations, including the murder of a mother and her child in Adelaide. In a further incident, Geoff was confronted by an irrational man in possession of an unregistered Japanese automatic rifle, pointed at Leane's stomach, threatening to shoot if they did not leave the premises. Geoff and four other policemen later overpowered the man.
Despite the challenging work, Geoff, his brother Lionel and Alan and many of the extended family were able to gather to celebrate their parents’ Golden Wedding in June ‘52, which added to the delight of their father’s knighting.
The Leane family were finally able to celebrate the end of the war and safe return of the sons who enlisted with the receipt of a telegram from their youngest son, Warrant-Officer Benjamin David Leane, 25, stating that he was well after four years as a prisoner of war in Siam. Having been an early enlistee, Ben served in Darwin before being sent to Malaya where he was captured.
76-year-old Lorna pre-deceased Geoff and died on the 11th August 1984. Geoff lived to 90, and died on the 22nd September 1990. He now lies in the Centennial Park Cemetery, Charles Newman Plot, Rose Bed CN8, Position 9.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion