Leslie Francis MATHER

Date of birth30 June 1888
Place of birthMelbourne, Victoria
Other NamesMATHER, Leslie Francis Strang
SchoolCumloden College, East St Kilda, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationMechanical engineer
Address'Cadzow', 383 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Next of kinFather, J Mather, 'Cadzow', 383 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria
Previous military serviceRoyal Australian Engineers
Enlistment date25 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentLieutenant
Unit name1st Field Company Engineers
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/20/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A19 Afric on 18 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant-Colonel
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Division Engineers
Promotions

Lieutenant Colonel


Unit: 5th Division Engineers
Promotion date: 12 March 1918

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

DSO


'Conspicuous bravery at Pozieres, 23 July 1916.'
Recommendation date: 2 August 1916

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

FateSuicide 23 January 1919
Place of death or woundingPozieres, Somme Sector, France
Age at death30
Age at death from cemetery records30
Place of burialSolre-le-Chateau Communal Cemetery (In North Part, on West Side of Main Path), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
24
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: John and Jessie MATHER; husband of Marcelle Elizabeth Annie MATHER, 17 rue de Rivoli, Nui, France
Medals

Distinguished Service Order

'For conspicuous gallantry and consistent good work since the commencement of the campaign, and until he was wounded leading his company into action under heavy shell fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 184
Date: 14 December 1916

Other detailsMedals: Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal