Leslie James Barr Donald
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 8 Mar 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Death | 20 Feb 1967, aged 53 |
| Place of Death | Redcliffe, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 5 months |
| Description |
5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 179 lbs 81.193 kg ; fair complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Outram street, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Moira Margaret Donald |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX31264 & W52061 |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Aug 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion (City of Perth) Regiment |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Joined the part time CMF (11/16th Battalion) on 17 Aug 1936 with Army No 1400237. During 1940 he married Moira Margaret Franklin (1913 - 1975). Electoral Roll entries: 1937 Outram street, Armadale, motor mechanic; 1943 Research Station Wongan Hills, farm hand.
War Service
Enlisted for full time duty at Claremont on 12 Aug 1942, and on 26 August he was sent to Northam camp to train as a General Reinforcement. There on 16 Sep 1942 he enlisted in the AIF and was allocated a new Army No of WX31264. Between 18 and 26 Sep 1942 he was granted leave, and on 31 Dec 1942 he was posted to the 11th Australian Infantry Battalion. On 23 Feb 1943 he entrained for Darwin via Adelaide, arriving there on 10 Mar 1943. Les was granted proficiency pay from 1 Jul 1943.
On 25 Oct 1943 he was evacuated to the 101st Australian General Hospital Katherine with a torn tendon, rejoining his unit on 19 Nov 1943. From 4 Nov until 4 Dec 1943 he attended a Mortar Course. However on 8 Sep 1944 he was reassessed as B2 fitness and on 11 Oct 1944 transferred out of the battalion, and on 21 Nov 1944 transferred to Western Australia Line of Command for discharge. In Perth on 11 Dec 1944 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital for treatment for herniation and deformation of his lumbar vertebrae, before being released to the Convalescent Depot on 2 Jan 1945. On 24 Jan 1945 he was discharged from the convalescent depot to begin discharge procedures and this occurred on 5 Feb 1945
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 "Nerioka" Koorda, farmer; 1954 Serpentine, farmer; 1958 - 1967 at 2 Redcliffe road, Redcliffe, mechanical fitter.
Lelsie worked at the airport as a mechanic, maintaining aircraft.
Leslie and Moira's children are: Leslie, Robert, Margaret, Allan and Peter.
Notes