Leo Patrick Kane
From Our Contribution
 | |
| 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 ; 170 lbs 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.
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.
In England Leo was sent to Rollestone and the 7th Training Battalion to hone his skills for France. Released on 17 Oct 1916 to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital from the King George's Hospital, remaining there 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 Australian 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. Granted leave in Paris from 4 - 14 Dec 1917, on his return 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 Australian 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 entered the Edmonton General Military Hospital with wounds to his left shoulder and right forearm. Released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital Dartford on 24 Jun 1918, and four days later to No.3 Convalescent Depot.
Returned to France for a third time on 17 Oct 1918, through Southampton, remaining with his unit there until 18 Feb 1919 when he sought assistance from the 7th Australian Field Ambulance with VD. 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 the 28th Battalion and the rest of the Australian 7th Brigade was initially earmarked as part of the British 4th Army to relocate to Coblenz as part of the Army of Occupation. They began their move on 23 Nov 1918, travelling through Amiens and Peronne 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, with the 28th Battalion basing itself in Marcinelle, some 2 miles from the large industrial city of Charleroi.[1]
On 3 Mar 1919 Leo was transferred back to England to receive treatment in the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford for VD. Released from hospital on 22 Mar 1919. Returned to Melbourne and 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
Notes
- ↑ The 28th Battalion AIF - A Record of War Service. Henry K. Kahn. Hesperian Press.