Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Len was born at Hackney, South Australia. The family lived in Park Street, Hackney. He was the second son of the family, and responsibility came early as he was only 12 years old when his father died. Because the family were poor, the older boys of the family had to help support their mother.

He joined Reuter's Newsagency as a Messenger as his first job.
Len joined the RAN as a Cabin Boy in 1913, and rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Telegraphist.

He served in WW I, as a Radio Operator. He was stationed for a time on Cocos Islands as a
Radio Telegraphist.

He served on a number of ships, as a Radio Operator, mainly destroyers. These were the WARREGO, the SWAN, the PARRAMATTA.He later served on the HMAS AUSTRALIA and the HMAS ANZAC.

Len saw action in the Mediterannean in the latter years of WW1.
After the War he served mainly as a Training Officer at the Flinders Naval Base in Victoria, although he spent two years serving on the cruiser HMAS ADELAIDE, from 1924 to 1926. After 14 years service he left the Navy in 1927.

When he left the RAN he joined Radio 5CL in Adelaide at Brooklyn Park, and later worked
for the Advertiser Broadcasting Network at 5AD, 5PI, and 5MU.

He was a keen amateur Radio Operator and during WW 2 cracked the Japanese Morse Code and sent his work to the RAN, and received a commendation for his work.

He retired to Kent Town, but contracted Cancer about 1965, to which he eventually succumbed in 1969. He was also suffering from Emphysema. He was Cremated at Centennial Park.

Had Tuberculosis about 1930, cured by deflating lung. Contracted Cancer in about 1965, and died from a combination of Cancer and Emphysema in 1969.