Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Leslie Sydney Trenaman
Service Number: Lieut / 1203
Place of Birth: Yacka
Date of Birth: 11 October 1880
Place of Enlistment: Oaklands
Date of Enlistment: 15 January 1915
Age at Enlistment: 26 years 2 months
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Sister – E M Trenaman
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: Anglican
Rank: Lieutenant 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 8th Reinforcement.

Biographical details:
Leslie was the son of Samuel Thomas Trenaman and Margaret Honeyman. He joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Gallipoli on 13 November 1915. His unit was sent to Alexandria on 4 December and was absorbed into the Western Front Force on 2 January 1916. Leslie was wounded in action on 20 April 1917 at Munkholmen, Beersheba, sustaining a shot in the left buttock and was admitted to the 26th Stationary Hospital at Abbassia on 22 April. Upon being discharged in early June, he was transferred to the Isolation Camp at Moascar. On 4 August Leslie transferred to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment and was sent to Cadet school at Zietoun in March 1918. He was wounded a second time on 14 July, but was able to remain on duty. He rejoined his regiment from Moascar on 17 August. Leslie was treated for malaria from 16 October to 26 October and was then granted 14 days sick leave. Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant was achieved on 24 December. On 16 May 1919 he embarked H T Orari for Australia. An AIF report on Trenaman by G.Bell, Lt. / Col 3 Light Horse Regiment, stated he was “ a good disciplinarian, a good leader, a first class instructor in drill… physically strong”. Leslie was discharged on 26 August 1919(1).
Fruit Block Details:
Trenaman occupied Block 895 in the Berri irrigation area, on which he produced currants, gordos, mixed trees and dorodillos. In 1922 P.Matthews transferred to Leslie, block 281, a 17 acre irrigable property. The house on the block comprised 3 rooms, with concrete walls and a wood and iron roof. It was erected in 1920 and valued at 320 pounds. The 32 chains of channelling cost 208 pounds and the 30 chains of fencing cost 42 pounds. The block comprised 4 acres of oranges, 4 acres of apricots, 4 acres of peaches and 3 acres of nectarines. Leslie complained to the Royal Commission on the Soldier-Settler Scheme about the value placed upon the house on his block being far less than what he paid for it to be constructed(2).
Other Anecdotal Information:
Leslie Trenaman married Dela Hilda Paech at St. Alban’s Church, Berri on 4 May,1922. As Chairman of Berri District Council, Leslie actively campaigned for funding to provide further electrification of the district,urged local people to invest in War Savings Certificates and appealled for increased funding for the Soldiers’ Farewell Committee in August 1940(3). Dela was an active supporter of local charities. Berri District Council expressed thanks for Dela’s work in organising a succession of appeals for war purposes and various charities.
He died in Berri on 8 March,1956 aged 76 and was buried at Berri Cemetery(4).
References:
1. National Australian Archives: B2455; Trenaman L S; Barcode 8393940.
2..Trove/ The Murray Pioneer & The Australian River Record 29 August 1940.
3. Trove/ The Murray Pioneer & The Australian River Record 2 July 1942.
4. Barmera Berri Council, Berri Barmera & Districts Local History Collection.