Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie was enlisted as a Apprentice Butcher at the Albury Co- Operative Butcher in 1914. He also did two years compulsory training at Albury. He meet his beloved Betsy McLeod Sharp when he was a packer at the time. Leslie enlisted in November 1915 and was discharged in April 1918 clased as medical unfit. While Leslie was packing ammunition about two mile beyond Shrapnel Corner, his horse were blown up by a shell burst. The shell landed near him throwin him off and rendering him unconscious. He laid in a hole for days shell shocked and gassed, he had no recollection until in a field ambulance, the date 23rd September 1917 were he was in hospital for three week. Leslie was then transferred to England on board the Corinthic, and embacked in January 1918 with Shell Shock.  Leslie married his beloved Betsy at St. Laurence Central Christ Church. Leslie was Roman Catholic and changed his religion to Prebyterian to marry his Betsy as she was Scottish Decent.  They lived in ALbury for a few years then moved to Long Jetty. Leslie was never a well man after his time in Belgium, they stayed in Albury for a few years then moved to Long Jetty. Part of Leslie's therapy was basket weaving, he use to sit on the front porch and weave beautiful baskets and a cane lounge which sat on the front veranda. When ever a thunder storm came Les found it very difficult, he would bury his head in a pillow slip.  Les was a proud Australian and still march on Anzac Day. He colapsed and died while marching on this day in 1936 only 41 years old. I feel as his granddaughter that because he had shell shock he was forgotten. Betsy a widow now with 7 children the oldest 15 years and youngest 9 months old, she struggled to raise them, and they ran wild.  The eldest son Robert John Kennedy joined the Navy and died with all hand on the HMAS Sydney. Ian Kennedy served his country in the Army. Colin Grant Kennedy served in New Guinea Finchafen in the Air Force and John Richard Kennedy was in the Air Force then two duties in Vietnam. All very proud to serve their country. I missed out on a grandfather and grandmother as  Bety died young at 55yrs. I am so proud of my heitage and the sacrifice that they made.