Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

History Biography WWI Assignment

By Matthew Pirone 9.1

Leslie Murlong Burnett’s service number was 2694. Leslie was born in Bordertown South Australia. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 150 lbs. He had brown eyes and dark brown hair. His occupation was labourer. He lived at 48 George Street Norwood, South Australia. The house no longer exists at 48 George Street. His address is now next to the Town Hall of Norwood. A cafe now exists at the old address site and it is next to the Town Hall. Leslie Burnett got his certificate of commanding officer on the 16th of April 1915 at Mitcham. He was 24 years and 11 months old when he received his commission and embarked onto a ship headed for Europe and the war. He was deemed to be fit for active service on the 1st of December 1914. (1)

Leslie was in the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance Unit when he first went to World War I. After 4 months at war, Leslie got in trouble for disobeying orders. He was given a week's detention for his actions. After another 5 months in war, Leslie was transferred to 3rd Field Ambulance Unit. He was transferred to this unit on the 3rd March 1916. After 3 months of being in this unit Leslie again got into trouble. On the 16th June 1916 he again got up to mischief. There was a disturbance after lights out and was he given the sentence of another 7 days of detention. (3)

Leslie was part of the 3rd Field Ambulance. This unit was the Field Ambulance Company that belonged to the Third Brigade of the First Division, which was made up of soldiers from Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The Third Brigade landed at Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915 (Anzac Day) and they saw action immediately. Heavy losses were suffered but Leslie did not join that unit until 3rd of March 1916. Leslie, upon joining the Field Ambulance Company, was responsible for Second Line causality evacuation from First Line Regimental Aid post in each battalion. (4)

It is likely that Leslie would have been a stretcher bearer and he would have been trained to administer First Aid. Leslie's role would have included clearing airways, staunch bleeding and probably splint fractures to prepare the injured to be evacuated to the regimental age posts. He would have done this work under fire. When there was an advancement in the front line the stretcher bearers would follow the soldiers attacking and would be exposed to direct rifle and machine gun fire from the enemy as well as artillery fire.(4)

On the 13th February 1918 Leslie was detached from the 3rd Field Ambulance Unit and was transferred to the First Australian Division Medical detail. After serving in France for a year the war ended and Leslie left for England on the 18th March 1919. In England, Leslie went to the Parkhouse training camp but after a couple of days Leslie headed home and left England on the 24th of March 1919, the boat Leslie travelled on was called "City of Poonah".(2)

Leslie Burnett was a good example of a typical Australian soldier. Not always a perfect soldier, he did get into mischief but, he displayed Australian characteristics of courage, endurance and mateship. Australians on the Western Front had a sardonic sense of humour, rejecting unnecessary restrictions, they were not afraid of danger and proved themselves the equal of others on the battle field. Leslie fitted this stereotype. The Anzac legend was established during World War I and the legend came to represent how Australians in war thought, spoke and acted. These qualities became part of the Anzac spirit and included courage, good humour and mateship.

Leslie Burnett was a solider who showed this powerful driving sensation that made him an Anzac. The spirit of Anzac is still seen today in harsh times. During floods, cyclones and bush fires Australians have united to help rescue and to ease the suffering of those people who have suffered hardship. They have looked after one another, provided food and shelter for the victims of these disasters and let them know that they are not alone.

Bibliography

1. Your Story, Our History 2018, National Archives of Australia, accessed 22 March 2018, 

2. Researching a Person 2018, RSL Virtual War Memorial, accessed 22 March 2018, <https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/rslvwm/comfy/cms/files/files/000/001/004/original/ResearchProfile_WWI.pdf>.

3. Leslie Murlong Burnett 2018, UNSW Australia, accessed 22 March 2018, <https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=39890>.

4. 3rd Field Ambulance 2018, RSL Virtual War Memorial, accessed 22 March 2018, <https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/units/294>.