| Regimental number | 1733 |
| Place of birth | Ovingham, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 10" |
| Weight | 161 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Caroline Hallifax, 15 Anglo Avenue, Parkside, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served for 1 year in Senior Cadets; 3 years as Lieutenant in 78th Bn, Citizen Military Forces. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A30 Borda on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 16th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 22 |
| Place of burial | Serre Road Cemetery No. 2 (Plot XXVII, Row D, Grave 3), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 79 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Commemorated in St George the Martyr's Anglican Church, Goodwood, Adelaide, South Australia. Inscription reads: 'To the Glory of God. In Honour of Our Lady, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed George the Martyr & of all the Blessed Saints. To the dear Memory of all those who went forth from this Altar, where they offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ, to give their lives in the Great War. This Screen is Blessed on Anzac Day 25 April 1922 being the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist.' Parents: Richard and Elizabeth Caroline HALLIFAX |
| Other details |
Statement, Red Cross File No 1250113D, 2599Pte C.H. DINKLER, D Company, 16th Bn, 10 October 1916: 'I was in the front line at Pozieres on August 12, and was talking to L/Cpl. Way, XVI Pl., D. Co. (attached Co. Bombers). He informed me that Hallifax had just been blown up and killed by a shell. Hallifax belonged to XVI Pl., D. Co., as I do. He was along the trench some little distance from me when the casualty occurred.' Second statement, 1083 Pte J.V. JAMES, 16th Bn (patient, Thorpe War Hospital, Norwich, England), 18 October 1916: 'Informant states that on 12th August in the vicinity of Mouquet Farm, Pozieres, Hallifax was killed in the support trenches, and his body was left with others.' Third statement, Lt C.D. BROWN, C Company, 16th Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England), 8 November 1916: On 13th August at between Pozieres and Mouquet Farm, he was shot in the head, and death was instantaneous. I do not know if he was buried.' Fourth statement, 1406 Pte A. CURRY, D Company, 16th Bn (patient, Bevan Military Hospital, Sandgate), 8 November 1916: 'Sergt. Leslie Hallifax was killed on the 12th August near Mouquet Farm, by shrapnel when we took the trenches.' Fifth statement, 5390 Pte E.R. MITCHELL, 16th Bn, 298 October 1916: 'Witness states that he himself saw this man killed on August 12th 1916 at Pozieres. They were sitting together in a dug-out in the afternoon and witness was wounded by the same shell. He is certain he was killed instantly.' Base Records wrote to mother, 28 August 1928: 'I am enclosing herewith wristlet watch and piece of Field glass case recovered by the Imperial War Graves Commission from the person of your son, the late 2nd. Lieutenant L.J. HALLIFAX, 16th. Battalion, at the time of this Officer's re-burial in Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. These mementoes though now somewhat impaired by long exposure will doubtless be valued on account of their former intimate association with your son ...' |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, HALLIFAX Leslie John
Red Cross File No 1250113D |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
