The AIF Project

Leslie Varley DUXBURY

Regimental number2868
Place of birthAdelaide, South Australia
SchoolParson's Public School and Caterer's College, Semaphore, South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSales manager
AddressWayville, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 6.5"
Weight129 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Lucy Kate Duxbury, 11 Rose Terrace, Wayville, South Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date20 September 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll5 October 1915
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 11 April 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Lieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularHe was an accomplished singer before leaving Australia and freely gave his services at patriotic concerts. He was the first to sing Miss Gertie Campbell's famous song, 'Come on Australians'. Football, baseball and rowing were his favourite recreations. (details from mother)
FateDied of wounds 6 September 1918
Place of death or woundingHalle, France
Age at death27.8
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialHeath Cemetery (Plot IX, Row A, Grave No. 17), Harbonnieres, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
120
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: William and Lucy Kate DUXBURY, 11 Rose Street, Wayville, South Australia
Family/military connectionsUncle: 404 Pte Thomas John VARLEY, 18th Bn, killed in action, Gallipoli, 18 August 1915.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Reverted to the ranks, 13 September 1916.

Appointed Acting Sergeant, with pay, 13 September 1916; reverted to Acting Corporal, 2 October 1916; appointed Acting Sergeant, 11 October 1916; reverted to Acting Corporal, 30 October 1916.

Transferred to Headquarters, 5th Australian Division Base Depot, 18 February 1917.

Appointed Temporary Regimental Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class I), 18 February 1917.

Detached to 1st Anzac Corps School, 26 August 1917; rejoined unit, 28 September 1917.

Selected to attend Infantry Cadet Bn course, England, commencing November 1917.

Appointed Cadet, No 6 Officer Cadet Bn, Oxford, 9 November 1917. Confidential Report stated: 'This cadet has done exceptionally well in everything & is the best Australian in the Company which in itself is a great feat. A very good leader indeed & knows his job thoroughly. He has played the game all through & has been very keen. Will make a splendid officer.'

Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 1 May 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 9 May 1918; marched out to 32nd Bn, in the field, 14 May 1918.

Detached to Australian Corps School (Bombing), 27 July 1918; rejoined unit, 20 August 1918.

Wounded while asleep, 3 September 1918 (High Explosive shell wound, left thigh), admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 5th Casualty Clearing Station.

Died of wounds, 6 September 1918.

Buried in Proyart Communal Cemetery Extension; subsequently (1923) reburied in Heath Military Cemetery.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, DUXBURY Leslie Varley

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