Tooraweenah, via Gilgandra,
5734
3rd Battalion,
RTA May 31, 1919
Private Leslie John Sheldon was born in Victoria to Thomas and Mary Sheldon. He was a 27 year old single farmer of Tooraweenah when he enlisted in Sydney on the 30th December 1915. His father, Thomas was his next of kin and he stated he had no previous military service.
The medical examination at Town Hall Sydney on the 30th December 1915,, described him as 5’4”; 123lbs (55kgs); chest expansion 32”-331/2”;fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair; vision good at 6/6:6/6. Religion Methodist.
Major Staples appointed him to the 3rd Battaliom D Company at Liverpool on the 31st January 1916.
Leslie embarked with the 3rd Battalion from Sydney on the ‘Kyarra’ on the 5th June 1916 and disembarked in England on the 3rd August 1916. After training he left for France to join the 3rd Battalion on the 6th October 1916 and, except for a short 3 weeks leave in England after the Armistice, he remained with the 3rd Battalion in France until April 1919.
He was wounded in action twice. The first time was on the 4th May 1917 at the Second Battle of Bullecourt which lasted from the 3-7 May 1917. The Unit diary report stated that “the wounded very difficult to send back. Garrison could not be spared and no Ambulance Bearers were available…”
The second time he was wounded in action was at Passcendaele on the 10th November 1917. The unit diaries describe the day as ‘dark and raining, heavy shelling, back areas received most attention. 3 companies got lost and took considerable time to relieve. Total casualties that day were 2 officers wounded, 13 Other Ranks (means everyone except officers), 42 Other Ranks wounded (which probably included Leslie) and 1 Other Rank missing.
Private Sheldon’s treatment and convalescance meant he passed through Casualty Clearing Stations and hospitals in Belgium, Abbeville, Cayers and Havre.
On the 24th May 1918 he rejoined the unit in the front line at Strazalle in the north of France.
He commenced his journey home from France in April 1919, arriving in Melbourne on the ‘Aeneas’ on 12th July 1919. Most of the NSW men travelled by train to Sydney ad he was discharged on the 30th August 1919. The medical report declared ‘he had slight deafness Left ear, otherwise normal.’
Private Leslie Sheldon 5734 was issued the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Leslie’s brother, Lance Corporal Charles Weymouth Sheldon 1116, enlisted in April 1916 with the 1st Light Horse and served in Egypt, he returned to Australia on the 29th April 1919.
Both brothers took up Soldier Settlement blocks at Biddon,. Leslie’s block was part of ‘Springdale’ and he named it ‘Willaston’. Charles Sheldon took up a block that was also part of ‘Springdale’ and he named it ‘Moascar’ after the Australian Light Horse Headquarters in Egypt.
Leslie maried Rose Hannah Harris and had 3 children; Leslie who died in WW2; Mary ‘Molly’ and Leila