Leslie Jeffery Harvey
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 23 Jun 1985 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5' 9" (1.75m) tall; weight 165 lbs (74.8 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott. Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Arthur George Harvey |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3301 |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 8 reallocated to 10th Battalion |
| Date of Embarkation | 23 Dec 1916 - 16 Feb 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A35 Berrima |
| Date of Return | 1 Jun 1919 - 8 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Somali |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 1 Oct 1917 Ypres salient Wounded in Action 24 Jul 1918 Amiens area Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
A week after commencing training at Blackboy Hill camp, Leslie was allocated to the 24th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. However, two weeks later, the nature of his training changes as he was reallocated to the 8th draft for the 5th Pioneer Battalion.
On arrival in England he was sent to the Pioneer Training Battalion at Fovant near Larkhill, and in late Mar 1917 his training was interrupted with a two week spell in hospital. On 11 Jul 1917 he was again reallocated, this time to the 10th Infantry Battalion reinforcements.
Leslie proceeded to France on 6 Aug 1917 from Folkstone and joined his battalion in the field on 22 Aug 1917 in a rest area near Saint Omer, south west of Ypres. The 10th Battalion went into the front line near Ypres on 1 October 1917 and on that day Les suffered shell wounds to his right leg and to his head. It seems that Les was a member of a patrol that, during the night probed the enemy's position, with some casualties resulting, including himself.
A detailed report of the patrol is not in the AWM's collection sadly as the officer who wrote the report was wounded before he could submit it. On 6 Oct 1917 Les was placed aboard the HMHS St Andrew and transferred to Boscombe Military Hospital in Hants, England for treatment before spending further time recovering at 1st Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield.
Les recovered from his wounds, and a bout of Influenza and tonsillitis, before enjoying two weeks leave in England. He rejoined the 10th Battalion in the field on 3 May 1918 near Strazeele where it was being held in reserve. This was at a time when the Australian troops were being thrown into defensive positions to stop the German breakout.
On 24 Jul 1918 Les was wounded for a second time, receiving a GSW to his left knee needing treatment by the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, and the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station.
Discharged at 5th Military District on 15 Aug 1919.
Post War
In 1926, married Eliza Louisa Dowsett in Beverley. Eliza died a year after Les on 23 Jun 1986.
Electoral Roll entries - 1922-43 farmer at 14 Mile Brook, Narrogin; (Rosebrook, Dwarda); 1968 - 1980, no occupation, 37 Friar road, Armadale with wife Eliza and daughter Jean Lavinia.
Notes