SAPPER CHARLES HENRY EDWARD LEESON
787 – Mining Corps
Charles Henry Edward ‘Ted’ Goldsmith Leeson was born on February 26, 1890 in Dulwich Hill, Sydney, New South Wales the son of Fitzwalter William Edward and Hannah Appleton (nee Taylor) Leeson. He was apprenticed for five years as a motor mechanic with the Engineers for Water.
At the Sydney Town Hall recruiting depot on August 25, 1915 the twenty six year old mechanic applied to enlist for active service abroad. Declared fit for service the recruiting officer accepted his application.
On January 12, 1916 Attestation Forms were completed at Liverpool camp which reveal he was 169cms (5ft 6½ins) tall, weighed 52.7kgs (116lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-90cms (33-35½ins). Fresh was his complexion with good vision in his hazel eyes and had black hair. Next-of-kin nominated was his mother Mrs E. Leeson of 32 Beach Road, Dulwich Hill. He was sworn in the same day.
The Officer commanding the Field Hospital at Liverpool sent a memo dated September 8, 1915 to Medical Officer recruiting at Victoria Barracks that Private Leeson has Aust Medical Corps qualifications and may report to him direct.
A transfer to the Mining Corps took place on February 1, 1916 and all owing service pay was received from the AMC Liverpool Field Hospital. His address was listed with his friend Margaret Sinclair of 12 Westbourne Street, Petersham. His rank was Sapper with the regimental number 787 and assigned to the No.2 Company of the Corps.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one.
On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded. During this time Sapper Leeson was admitted to Broadmeadows camp hospital with a gastric ulcer.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces. The troopship Ulysses left on March 1 for Fremantle and Sapper Leeson was marked as ‘failed to embark Melbourne – in Hospital’
On April 17, 1916 he appeared before the Medical Board at Ascot Vale who recommended two weeks’ further treatment and could not be discharged until all treatment was carried out. He must be boarded again to determine as to his fitness or otherwise for active service.
The same day Sapper Leeson completed the following request:
REQUEST FOR DISCHARGE
“No 787, Sapper Charles Henry Edward Leeson, Mining Corps request that my discharge from the Australian Imperial Force be granted immediately. On receipt of my Discharge I release the Defence Department from any further payments, except Pension. In understand my claim for pension will be considered after my discharge has been issued.
(Sgd) C.H.E. Leeson”
Sapper Leeson was sent to a Rest Home, Ascot Vale and to return before the medical board on May 1, 1916.
On May 26, 1916 he was recommended for discharge as permanently unfit for service.
Military Discharge was issued on May 30, 1916 as medically unfit and not due to misconduct.
Two years later the following was reported in the:
As Sapper Leeson did not embark on active service he was ineligible for War Service Medals.
In 1922 he was working as an engineer at Devonport West, Tasmania.
He married on February 18, 1922 to Sara Winifred Tucker Henrick with their marriage registered at Ulverstone, Tasmania.
His name appeared in 1923 in:
His advertisement was printed in the:
In 1928 their address was Steele Street, Devonport West and worked as an engineer.
In 1936 he was an agent residing at Cleveland Street and a year later was at 31 Leslie Street, Launceston.
His wife Sara Winifred Leeson passed away on June 25, 1944 aged 43 years.
He was assaulted and robbed with the Court Case reported in the:
His residence was at Elizabeth Street, Launceston in 1949 and he worked as a fitter. Patterson Street, Launceston was his address in 1954 then moved to Bicheno, Glamorgan and retired.
The Hobart section of the Repatriation Department applied to Base Records for a copy of his service which was forwarded on June 4, 1952.
Charles Henry Edward ‘Ted’ Leeson passed away on June 6, 1969 aged 81 years. Burial took place two days later in the same grave as his wife Sara in the Monumental Section of Carr Villa Cemetery, Launceston within section D1 in grave no. 88.
© Donna Baldey 2014