Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie Hubert GASH 

Service Number: 66752

Leslie Hubert GASH was born in Redfern, Sydney, Australia on the 12th of November 1898.(1) Leslie Hubert Gash's father, Prosper Thomas GASH was a draper's assistant who later became a mercer. The rest of his family lived at Newington road in Marrickville, New South Wales where the majority of Gash’s childhood was spent.(2) He attended Sydney Technical High School in 1913 when he was 14 turning 15. He was in class 1B and 1C. The following year he was in class 2D, this was the last mention of Gash’s time spent at Tech High School.(3) It is not known if Gash went on to complete the rest of his high school years or go to university. Two years later on the 13th of April 1916 he was  appointed to the service of being a junior clerk for the department of labour and industry.(4)

Gash enlisted in the Australian army on the 17th of May 1918 with the consent of his parents, and he was placed in New South Wales Reinforcement 18.(5) Prior to this he had  military service which was under the Universal service scheme where he was in the 35th Battalion.  He was later granted special leave of absence by the department of labour and industry,(7) where he undertook basic training for at least 7 days which included conditioning, discipline and the instilling of basic military skills as it was compulsory for enlistees.

On the 4th of September 1918 Gash embarked overseas on board HMAT A41 Bakara.(8) He later disembarked at London on the 14th of November 1918. Upon arrival he was allocated to the 3rd Infantry Battalion but later moved to the 5th Battalion immediately where he stayed until 26th of January 1919.

During his 3 month stay in the 3rd Battalion Gash travelled around France and Belgium.(9) On the 26th of January Gash transferred to the D.U.S (Depot Unit of Supply). During the war their role was to handle the supplies,  ammunition, for about 4,000 men.(10)  Their role was to collect, report to, store and distribute combat and general supplies forward to the Corps and Division Administrative. Gash's role in the Depot Unit of Supply (D.U.S.) played a crucial part in the broader logistics and supply chain of the post-war effort.

While he may not have fought on the frontlines, his work ensured that soldiers in the field were equipped with the ammunition, supplies, and resources needed to sustain the war effort.

After the war ended, Gash's duties in demobilisation and surplus management were essential to transitioning from wartime operations to peacetime stability. His contribution to the logistics and support framework highlights the significance of behind-the-scenes roles in the success of military campaigns. Without the crucial efforts of units like Gash's, the military would have struggled to maintain operations and recover from the aftermath of war. The unit adapted to new technologies and streamlined operations while assisting in emergency responses and maintaining readiness for future conflicts. (12)

After surviving the war unscathed, Gash returned to Sydney on the 1st of August 1919. On his medical record Gash quoted “I am not suffering from any disability due to or aggravated by war service, and feel fit and well.” (15) From this it can be inferred that Gash made a healthy return to normal life and continued his work as an office clerk. This later led to his retirement from the job in 1958. He was 60 years old.(16) He later died on the 10th of February 1973 at age 75.The cause and place of Gash’s death remain unknown.(17)

References:

(1)Leslie Hubert GASH, AIF Project
(2)ibid
(3)THS Class Report Sheet 1913-1914
(4)Department of Labour and Industry Ministerial Office (5)Public Service List 1858-1960
(6)Leslie Hubert GASH, AIF Project
(7)Ibid
(8)Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), Friday 26 July 1918, (9)Special Leave of of Absence, Department of Labour and Industry 
(10)Leslie Hubert GASH, AIF Project
(11)National Archive of Australia, GASH Leslie Hubert, p. 17-19.
(12)ibid
(13)Leslie Hubert GASH, AIF Project
(14)National Archive of Australia, GASH Leslie Hubert, p. 26
(15)ibid p. 13
 (16)Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001)  Fri 31 Oct 1958, Retirements, Department of Labour and Industry
VWMA Leslie Hubert GASH
(17)Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001)  Fri 31 Oct 1958, Retirements, Department of Labour and Industry
VWMA Leslie Hubert GASH

Bibliography:

Ken Stevenson, Research on Google Drive

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1339131
https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/74710
https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/3084
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/training
https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/246/people