THORNHILL, Leslie Royal
| Service Number: | 25530 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 September 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Seaman |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia , 12 January 1909 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 13 Sep 1939: | Involvement Royal Australian Navy, Coder, 25530 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Coder, Royal Australian Navy | |
| 13 Sep 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Leading Seaman, 25530, HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) | |
| 5 Dec 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Navy, Leading Seaman, 25530, HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Leslie was born in Brisbane, QLD in 1909 and was working in Bundaberg, QLD when he married Marie (Eileen) Eliza Eileen Andersen (born 1911 in Gympie, QLD). Leslie and Eileen lived in North QLD (Ayr and Bundaberg) where Leslie was a Labourer.
In 1939 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy (Service No: 25530) and served on HMAS Penguin IV (Ordinary Seaman, HMAS Tambon (Ordinary Telegraphist), HMAS Cerberus (Coder) and HMAS Melville (Leading Coder. He took his Discharge in December 1945.
After the War, Leslie and Eileen lived in Wynnum, QLD where they ran the Cosy Corner Cafe on The Esplanade, and raised their six children. Leslie had participated in a number of bombing raids during his service with the RAN in WWII, and consequently suffered from headaches and nerves. On 5 October 1948, Leslie disappeared without trace from Wynnum and police in QLD and NSW sought information about his whereabouts. He was said to be in a depressed state for a fortnight prior to his disappearance, and his wife Eileen had received a telephone message to say he had taken a job in Ipswich, QLD and would be home on the Saturday. Police found no evidence he was ever in Ipswich. Later Eileen received a telegram from Sydney asking her to wire money to the Peoples' Palace for his fare home. The Peoples' Palace reported that no one by that name had ever stayed there. Police were concerned there had been foul play.
Eileen lived in New Farm, Brisbane, QLD and worked as a Machinist before moving to Cairns, QLD where she met and later married Robert Duncan.
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