Leo Patrick Kane

Leo Patrick Kane

Personal Information
Date of Birth	30 May 1893
Place of Birth	Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Victoria
Death	14 Jul 1969
Place of Death	Heidelberg, Victoria
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 4 months
Description	6' (1.83m) tall ; 170lbs 77.111 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair
Occupation	Mill hand
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. John Joseph Kane
Military Information
Reg Number	5034
Date of Enlistment	8 Mar 1916
Rank	Sergeant
Unit/Formation	28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division
Date of Embarkation	18 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A48 Seang Bee
Date of Return	10 Apr 1919 ‒ 31 May 1919
Ship Returned On	HMAT A7 Medic
Fate	Wounded in Action 11 Mar 1917 Warlencourt Wounded in Action 10 Jun 1918 3rd Morlancourt Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Enlisted in Jarrahdale where in 1916 he was a mill hand.

War Service

The first time Leo offered himself, he was rejected due to heart valve problems, but on 8 Mar 1916 he was enlisted and sent for training. Two months after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Leo was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, and he travelled with them to England aboard HMAT A48 Seang Bee which departed Fremantle on 19 July and arrived in Plymouth on 9 Sep 1916.

In England Leo was sent to Rollestone and the 7th Training Battalion to continue training for France. At some point he was ill enough to require a stint in King George's Hospital as on 17 Oct 1916 he was released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital where he remained until 11 Nov 1916, illness not stated. Leo proceeded overseas to France on the HMT Victoria from Folkestone on 13 Dec 1916. Taken on strength by the 28th Battalion on 18 Dec 1916 on the day that they marched from St Vaast-en-Chaussee to Vignacourt and then by train to Buire before settling at Mametz south east of Albert.

On 11 Mar 1917 Leo was wounded in action, receiving a gun shot wound to his shoulder and hand. The battalion at that time was in the front line in front of Warlencourt. Seen first by the 6th Field Ambulance he was sent on to a Casualty Clearing Station and then an Ambulance Train to Rouen where he entered the 11th Stationary Hospital on 14 Mar 1917. On the 16th he embarked on HMHS Gloucester Castle, then acting as a hospital ship, for England where he was admitted to the Voluntary Aide Hospital at Exeter on 17 Mar 1917. Released to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, and granted furlough from 20 Apr to 5 May 1917. On 29 Jun 1917 he was admitted to the Brigade Hospital with tonsillitis and released on 4 Jul 1917. On 23 Jul 1917 he was charged with being AWOL from noon 20 Jul 1917 until 9:00pm on 21 Jul 1917. Awarded 3 days CB (Confined to Barracks) and forfeiture of 2 days pay.

Leo returned to France through Southampton on 13 Aug 1917, and rejoined his battalion on 27 Aug 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal on 21 Sep 1917, and temporary Corporal on 15 Oct 1917, and granted leave in Paris from 4 - 14 Dec 1917, his return to the battalion he was again promoted, to Corporal on 7 Jan 1918, temporary Sergeant on 3 Feb 1918 and Sergeant on 9 May 1918. On 10 Jun 1918 Leo was wounded in action a second time with wounds to his right forearm and left shoulder. Treated by the 5th Field Ambulance, the 20th Casualty Clearing Station, and the 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne on 12 Jun 1918. On 13 June he was evacuated to England aboard HS Pieter de Coninck , and he was admitted to the Edmonton General Military Hospital with wounds to his left shoulder and right forearm. Following treatment he was released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital Dartford on 24 Jun 1918, and four days later to No.3 Convalescent Depot at Hurdcott. On 10 Aug 1918 Leo was transferred to No.1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, and on 12 Sep 1918 to the Overseas Training Brigade

Leo returned to France 9through Southampton0 on 17 Oct 1918, for a third time with Australian Infantry units all in rest areas. At the time of the Armistice the battalion was resting and rebuilding in the small village of Berteaucourt, north-west of Amiens. Soon after the Armistice, on 23 Nov 1918, the 28th Battalion and the rest of the Australian 7th Brigade (earmarked as part of the British 4th Army forces to relocate to Coblenz as part of the Army of Occupation) began their move, travelling through Amiens and Péronne by train, and then marched via stops at Busigny, Ribeauville, Grand Fayt, Beaufort, and Cousolre into Belgium. At this point it was decided that the Australian troops would not proceed into Germany, but wait in Belgium for their return to Australia. The 28th Battalion then based itself in Marcinelle, some 2 miles from the large industrial city of Charleroi. Leo remained with the battalion until 18 Feb 1919 when he sought assistance from the 7th Field Ambulance for Venereal Disease. On 3 Mar 1919 Leo was transferred back to England to receive treatment in the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford. Released from hospital on 22 Mar 1919, Leo returned to Melbourne where he was discharged by the 3rd Military District on 15 Jul 1919.

Post War

Married Kathleen Constance Constable (b.1909, d.1968). Son Leo Lindsay Noel born 26 Dec 1922 in Colac (d.1985), Victoria; daughter Dorothy June born 10 Oct 1934 in Melbourne (d.2002). Second marriage to Kathleen Constance Constable (1909-1997), daughter Tania Mavis (1945-2012).

Electoral Roll entries - 1949 - 1963 at Flat 9, 81 South road, Brighton Beach, Victoria with wife Kathleen Constance, examiner, Kathleen a presser; 1968 at 1 Favril street, Brighton East; 1972 - 1980 Kathleen only

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial