2435 Private JENNINGS Leslie Raymond

55th Australian Infantry Battalion 5th Reinforcements

Leslie was born in Young and attended school at Sawpit Gully Public School near Young. 

Leslie enlisted at Goulburn 1 May 1916, aged 21 years and 7 months. He was a trainee in the 18th Field Artillery Battery, Australian Militia (Citizen Military Force) prior to enlistment. His records say he was Church of England, a single man, and a farmer. His next of kin was his Father, Edmond Jennings of Back Creek Road Young. 

Leslie embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 30 September 1916. He left Folkestone, on board the HMT Princess Victoria, for France on 12 December 1916. Marching into the 55th on 8 February 1917. 

Leslie was wounded in the thigh, by shrapnel, in the field in France, on 4 July 1918. He was sent to hospital in England on 10 July 1918. His next of kin was advised he was wounded, and in hospital, on 18 July 1918. He was discharged from hospital in September and sent on furlough in England. 

Leslie was re-admitted to hospital, on 8 November 1918, with influenza. His Father was advised he was being returned to Australia on 17 January 1919. He returned to Freemantle, disembarking the AWM244 Bakara on 6 February 2019. Leslie died in the Fremantle Base Hospital from tuberculosis on 4 March 1919, aged 24. He is buried in the Fremantle Cemetery.