Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Our Poppy is the greatest man we’ve ever known. Leo James Inglis was born on 31 January 1921 in a house in Grafton. He arrived 5 minutes after his twin brother, weighing in at just under a kilo. The nurse told his mother they were putting him to the side as there was no chance he would survive and they would put their efforts into saving his brother Lionel. His mother said 'no way'. Now 99 years later he is still standing, mind still sharp, body still mostly healthy and strong with just his vision letting him down now. He was born and has always been a small man in stature but has forever had an incredible zest for life and the boundless energy of a child, with the true heart of a lion, hence his strong name. This man we all admire and love so dearly is named Leo James Inglis. He would have marched today in Sydney on his own 2 feet, as he does every year, but alas for the first time the ANZAC March 2020 cannot go ahead. We are all bitterly disappointed, as we love to follow along beside him as he marches, cheering for him and boasting to others in the crowd, "That’s our Poppy and he's 99yo and still going strong." So this year we’re telling you some of the stories in the hopes that you will let everyone know about him so we can still celebrate his life and his bravery. For Lest we Forget a young teenage boy's courage all those years ago.

He has so many amazing stories about his time in the war. He was known as Private Leo Inglis, Machine Gunner in 2nd 7th Machine Gun Battalion. He saw action in Papua New Guinea. We was liked by the Fuzzy Wuzzies due to his tight curly hair. When he arrived in Papua New Guinea, one end of the airstrip was in Japanese control and the other end was ours. His plane was shot at as it descended and the soldiers had to jump out of the plane while it was still moving and run into the jungle. Another time he was buried alive when a mortar landed right next to him. He also contracted malaria countless times.

We are all so proud of Poppy, who is a Father, Uncle. Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Great great Grandfather. We think he is pretty GREAT and we are so Grateful and Proud.

We Love you Poppy.

Amanda Booth, Michelle Tree & The Inglis Family...