Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie was born in Noosa in 1889. He was the grandson of Walter Hay one of the “father’s of Noosa” who amongst other achievements built the first road from Noosa to Gympie. Walter had ten children including Leslie’s mother Martha. Leslie was the second of Martha’s 8 children.
At the time of his enlistment his occupation was a seaman. Leslie had originally been rejected for service however he was accepted on his second attempt on 14 March 1917 to serve with the 26thBattalion, 20th Reinforcements.
Leslie embarked from Sydney on 14 June 1917 aboard HMAT A20 Hororata. In England he marched into the 7th Training Battalion in Rolleston as a Private in August 1917. In September he was admitted to Parkhouse Military Hospital with mumps. Leslie proceeded overseas to France at the end of January 1918 and was transferred to the 52nd Battalion in February.
On 24 April he was wounded by a gunshot wound to the leg. He was admitted to the Bath War Hospital at the end of April. He was subsequently transferred to the 42nd Battalion Details Overseas Training Brigade in June. He was taken on strength in the 42ndBattalion on 4 August. In November, he accidentally injured his left foot and was admitted to the War Hospital at Exeter. He then served at 1st Command Depot at Sutton Veny in December 1918.
Leslie returned to Australia 14 January 1919 aboard the HT City of York and disembarked on 27 February. He was discharged from the 42ndBattalion on 31 March 1919 and received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Leslie returned to Noosa Heads and his occupation as a seaman and also for a time owned the family boarding house; Bayview.
In 1927 he married Lillian Jane Chamberlain daughter of Samuel and Martha (nee Johns) Jones. The couple had no children.
Leslie died in Brisbane Hospital on 7 June 1931 from “chronic pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic tuberculous, meningitis and external hydrocephalus”. He was survived by his wife and stepdaughters Gloria and Thalia. Leslie was laid to rest in Balmoral Cemetery on 9 June after a funeral service at St. Phillip’s Church in Greenslopes. His grave, in Section 9 Plot 152 in Balmoral Cemetery, was formed but had no headstone and was in a poor condition.
FOBC was assisted in their applicant by a great niece and nephew of Leslie – they particularly recalled family stories about how Leslie was impacted by gassing in the War.
Courtesy of The Balmoral Angels.