SAPPER LESLIE FREDERICK FITTERER
2476 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales was stated to be the birthplace of Leslie Frederick Fitterer about 1894, the son of August Henry and Alice (nee Russell) Fitterer. Military training was gained by six months with the Senior Cadets. In 1914 the family were residing at 270 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria.
Leslie had one year to go of his apprenticeship as an electrical engineer with Moran and Cato, Electrical Engineering whose premises were located at 277 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria when he applied to enlist for active service abroad.
A reference was supplied by Mr A.L. Moran, Secretary of the firm who stated that Leslie had completed four years and eleven months from 22/8/1910 to 21/7/1915 in learning electrical engineering with them. Experience in running steam and electrical machinery plus hydraulic lifts was gained. He was considered very trustworthy and worked satisfactorily and they had pleasure granting him a leave of absence for his service abroad.
At the recruiting depot in Melbourne, Vic on July, 15, 1915 the twenty-two year old passed the medical examination and his description on enlistment was 168cms (5ft 6ins) in height, weighed 61.8kgs (136lbs) with a chest expansion of 83-94cms (32½-37ins). Complexion was sallow with grey eyes and had brown hair. Distinctive marks were three vaccination scars on his left arm, a scar on his left forearm and left leg, a mole on right shoulder blade and centre back and a birthmark on the back of his neck. Church of England was his religious denomination. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Alice Fitterer, of 270 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Vic. He was sworn in the same day.
Basic training began until he was sent to the Engineers training camp at Moore Park, Sydney on November 22, 1915. Placed with the 12th Reinforcement to the 2nd Field Company Engineers his rank was sapper with the regimental number 2476.
The Reinforcement embarked from Sydney, NSW on December 11, 1915 on the R.M.S. Mooltan under Master of the ship Commander R.L. Haddock with Lt-Colonel G. Allom Officer Commanding the Troops. During the voyage the following discipline was given:
On transport:29/12/17 & 30/12/15 Absenting himself without leave, during Transport’s
day in port. Witnesses were Sergeants Meyers and Wilkinson.
Award:7 day’s extra guard and fatigue duties by G. Allom, Lt-Col.
After a voyage of thirty-two days the transport arrived for disembarkation at the Suez on January 11, 1916.
On February 23, 1916 Sapper was admitted to 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Heliopolis with influenza until March 1 when he went to the 1st Aust Convalescent Camp at Helouan with ‘A Class debility’. Four days later was discharged to duty at Giza. Base Records advised his next-of-kin on March 4 that he was in hospital in Cairo with Influenza. He was taken on strength with his unit on March 18.
His name was published in the List of Casualties in:
He was admitted to the 3rd Aust General Hospital at Abbassia on April 10, 1916 after treatment for dysentery at the 1st Aust Hospital at Ismailia. Next-of-kin were notified on April 20 that he was a patient in the 3rd Aust General Hospital. He was transferred to the T & C.B. Depot ‘Class A debility’ in Montezah on May 8.
The Reinforcement left Alexandria on June 6, 1916 on the transport Ionian to join the British Expeditionary Forces and disembarked at Marseilles on June 15. On July 30 at Etaples he proceeded to join the 13th Field Company Engineers and taken on strength on August 1.
Service continued until August 13, 1917 when the following occurred:
9/8/17Being out of billet after 9 p.m. contrary to G.R.O. 1599
Award:2 days F.P. No. 2 [Field Punishment] by O.C. 13th F.C.E.
Total forfeiture:10/- [ten shillings]
His civil qualifications of electrical engineer were valuable to the work of the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was detached to this company on September 13 for a period until November 9, 1917 when he was attached to the 13th F.C.E.
On January 12, 1918 further punishment was issued for the following:
Crime:Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he
absented himself from the line of march without permission.
Award:Admonished by O.C. of the company 12/1/18
He was transferred for duty pending absorption with the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company on February 5, 1918 and attached for Supernumerary duty.
Leave was granted and he proceeded on February 28, 1918 and to return on March 14. But the previous day, March 13 went to the New Zealand Reinforcements Field Ambulance with Scabies (a skin irritation caused by Itch Mite whose eggs are laid under the skin’s outer layer) and moved to the 1 / 3 W.R. Field Ambulance on March 26 then rejoined his unit on March 30.
During an audit of the company he was noted to be still attached and on August 1, 1918 was taken on strength in the field.
Leave to Paris was granted on October 18, 1918 and he returned on November 1 entering the 12th Stationary Hospital with Pyrexia (Fever). He was there recovering from Influenza when Peace was declared and discharged to duty on November 14 and returned to his unit. The Company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service engines and pumps for water supply to those rehabilitating the district.
Further leave was granted from February 15 until March 1, 1919 when Special Leave was to commence for Non-Military Employment with pay of six shillings per diem and subsistence allowance of six shillings plus Railway warrants of 9/4d, two pairs overalls and a suit. He proceeded to A.I.F. Headquarters in London and taken on strength with them. He was studying engineering with Williams and Robinson Ltd at Victoria Works, Rugby until June 1 and was granted an extension of leave on June 2 to continue until September 1, 1919. His repayment for tools amounted to 5/4d (54cents). The firm reported his work with them was ‘Satisfactory’.
During his Special Leave in Rugby, Warwickshire, Leslie (26) had been residing at 49 Manor Road, where on August 4, 1919 after banns, married in the Parish Church to Miss Doris Winifred Elizabeth Davies (20), spinster daughter of John Fuller Davies, time keeper of 103 Newbold Road, Rugby. The ceremony was conducted by Rector C.M. Blagden according to the rites of the Established Church. His father August Fitterer was a manufacturer.
On expiration of N.M.E. he returned to Headquarters and was re-transferred to the A.E.M.M.B.C. and two days later proceeded on indefinite leave to await the family ship for Australia.
Arrangements had been made for his to return on the H.T. Benalla but this was changed to the H.T. Marathon which embarked on November 7, 1919 with both he and his wife on board. Base Records advised his mother on November 20 that he was on his way home. The ship docked in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on November 26, 1919. Details of the transport’s arrival were published in:
His Will was forwarded on January 31, 1920 for filing in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) and his Military Discharge was issued on termination of his period of enlistment on February 25, 1920. His electoral address was listed as 270 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy with the occupation of engineer.
Base Records sent a Statement of his Service to the Melbourne Branch of the Australian Natives Association on July 22, 1920.
For serving his country Sapper 2476 Leslie Frederick Fitterer, 2nd Field Company Engineers / Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (30075) and the Victory Medal (29865).
He receipted delivery of both medals took place on December 14, 1922 at Moran and Cato and the witness of his signature was Ellie Cato.
From 1924 to 1931 they were recorded residing at 78 Cameron Street, Coburg with his occupation as engineer.
A Statement of Service was issued to the Department of Repatriation in Melbourne on October 8, 1930.
Their residence became 9 Raeburn Crescent, Brunswick East listed from 1936 onwards.
During World War II he listed again with the Australian Army at West Brunswick on March 22, 1942 and issued the service number V370564. Next-of-kin was his wife Doris Fitterer. After serving as Lieutenant with the 18th Battalion he was discharged on December 8, 1943.
Their daughter Doris Joyce Fitterer (born 8/11/1920 at Moreland, Vic) also enlisted soon after on December 11, 1943 at West Brunswick with the Australian Army, listing Leslie Fitterer as her next-of-kin. Her Service No. was VF514759 and she was a Private with the Aust Women’s Army Service until her discharge on August 25, 1944.
Mrs Dora Fitterer died on May 31, 1950 aged 45 years and the announcement appeared in:
He remarried to Elizabeth Lilian and they continued to reside at Raeburn Crescent until she passed away in 1965.
Leslie Frederick Fitterer died in 1970 at 77 years of age in the district of Brunswick. Probate of the Will was advertised in:
Footnote: His British War Medal was sold on E-Bay in England in October, 2006.
© Donna Baldey 2013