Charles Godfried Lebner

Charles Godfried Lebner was born on Christmas Eve, 1892, in Tintaldra, Victoria, to Charles Lebner and Caroline, nee Schneider. 

On 4th April 1916, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 22-year-old grazier from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 1639 and placed in B Company of the 1st reinforcements for the 37th Battalion. Charles gave his next of kin as his mother, Caroline Lebner. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius at Melbourne, Victoria, on 27th May 1916, arriving in Plymouth, England, on the 18th of July.

Charles would remain in the 37th Battalion for his entire enlistment, fighting on the Western Front. He was wounded by poisonous gas on the 27th August 1918, which resulted in him being in England for the duration of the war.

On 22nd December 1918, he returned to Australia aboard HMZHS Marama, with the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged on 14th March 1919 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

He married Muriel Garing in 1924. Charles served his country a second time, enlisting in the Citizen Military Forces (V402577) during the Second World War.

He passed away on 22nd November 1984 at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Corryong Cemetery.