William Alfred Leaver MC MM
From Our Contribution
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File:Leaveer William Alfred.jpg Australian Fighting Sons of the Empire p.204 | |
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Sep 1895 |
| Place of Birth | Cobar, New South Wales |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 62 Cargill street, Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Mabel Leaver |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | [ 467] |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Mar 1915 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, C Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jun 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A11 Ascanius |
| Monument |
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Victoria Park Honour Roll |
| Medals |
Military Cross Military Medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Educated in Adelaide before the family moved to Western Australia.
War Service
Enlisted in WA as a private and allocated to C Company of the 28th Battalion, then being raised in Perth. Sailed with them to Egypt in June 1915 and on to Gallipoli where he served for a short time until he suffered with a poisoned hand requiring his evacuation.
Following being awarded the Military Medal he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant on 27 Dec 1916, and later promoted to Lieutenant on 27 May 1917. Soon after he was seriously wounded requiring evacuation to England for treatment. Following his recovery he was sent home to Australia serving as the Paymaster on HMAT A30 Borda in 1919.
Both his father 5363 Sapper Charles Henry Leaver, and his brother 5425 Private Charles Henry Leaver served in France and returned to Australia.
Award Comment
Military Medal
"During the attack on German positions north of Flers, on morning of 5th November, 1916, displayed great courage and endurance, both during and after the action. He displayed utter disregard for personal safety, going out after two enemy snipers who were causing casualties amongst our men, and accounted for them. This was done under heavy shell fire."[1]
Military Cross
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised a bombing attack at a critical time and succeeded in gaining a lot of the enemy's trench. he set a fine example to his men. He was subsequently wounded."[2]
Post War
Notes
Best match for W Lever on Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll. Connection to Gosnells not yet proven, however, as a teacher he may well have taught in District. He is included on the Victoria Park Memorial.
William's full records are amalgamated with his service as SP6343 (Russia 1919?) and are therefore not on the Australian Archives site.