Thomas Albert Leslie Cheney
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Jan 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Orroroo, Sout Australia |
| Death | 1 Aug 1966 |
| Place of Death | Southern Cross |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5' 11" (1.80m) tall; weight 144 lbs (65 3 kg); fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair |
| Occupation | farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr William Cheney |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5671 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement; transferred to 44th Battalion; then to 11th Machine Gun Company, and finally to 3rd Division Signal Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 15 Jul 1916 - 1 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A31 Ajana |
| Date of Return | 18 Dec 1918 - 27 Jan 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A60 Aeneas |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
His first attempt to enlist was rejected - heart complaint.
War Service
Successful on his second attempt, on arrival in England he was sent to 3rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs on 2 Sep 1916. In England was reallocated to the 44th Battalion on 23 Sep 1916 and proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 23 Nov 1916 by which time he had been again reallocated, this time to the 11th Machine Gun Company.
In December he was charged with losing his equipment, namely Iron Rations (Bully Beef), for which he was admonished. Soon after he was made Temporary Corporal, but reverted to Private when he entered hospital on 17 Jan 1917. Spent lengthy spells in hospitals sick and on 5 Jun 1917 he embarked on HMHS Brighton for England where he entered the Middlesex War Hospital.
In Jul 1917 while waiting to return to France he was AWOL for 16 days and was punished by being awarded detention for another 16 days, and the loss of 33 days pay. Due to manpower shortages his sentence was remitted and on his return to a Depot unit he was transferred to Signals on 1 Oct 1917.
Returned to France via Folkestone on 3 Mar 1918 and on 25 Mar 1918 he was allocated to the 3rd Division Signals Company. After several more short term spells in hospital, on 14 Sep 1918 he was invalided to the UK, and quickly sent home to Australia.
Discharged 5th Military District 21 Mar 1919.
Post War
Married in Plantagenet area to Rosa Maria Hunter in 1923.
Birth Notice "CHENEY (nee Hunter) - On November 24, at Subiaco, to Mr. and Mrs. Cheney - a daughter. Both well.[1]
Birth Notice CHENEY - On April 6, at Maternity Hospital, Coolgardie street, Subiaco (late Nurse Lloyd) to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cheney, of Leederville, a daughter. (Marjorie).[2]
Birth Notice CHENEY - On September 24, 1927 at Warren hospital, Jardee, to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cheney of Group 79, Manjimup - a daughter (Yvonne Margaret). Both well.[3]
Italic textDeath - Cheney - On April 11, 1930 at Pemberton, Western Australia, Marjorie, beloved daughter of Mr and Mrs Cheney of Manjimup, aged 5 years[4]
Thomas enlisted for service during WW2 with regimental number W16976