Edward Ernest LEONARD

Year of Birth:  1894

Place of Birth:  Townsville, Queensland

Date of Enlistment:  4 August 1916

Date and Place of Embarkation:  24 January 1917, Sydney, New South Wales

Ship:  HMAT Ayrshire A33

Rank:  Private

Unit(s):  49th Infantry Battalion

Regimental Number:  3430

Died:  5 April 1918

Edward Ernest Leonard was born in Townsville on the 15 October 1894 to William Leonard and Ann Salisbury. He was the youngest of 9 children.

Edwards’s parents, William and Ann together with 4 children, John born 1878, Martha 1880, Edith 1882 and J. A. 1883, arrived in Mackay on board the Nuddea 20 September 1883 from Derby England. After their arrival another 5 children were born in Queensland. Frances Catherine 1885, Rosehannah (Rose) 1887, Mary Ann 1889, Frank Silver 1891 and Edward Ernest 1894.

The family finally settled in Sunnymount, North Queensland where Edward Ernest took up mining. His father owned the local store. Edward’s mother Ann died in 1922 and his father William died in 1936.

On his enlistment Edward Ernest was living in Sunnymount, his age was 21 years 10 months, occupation was a Miner and his next of kin was his father William Leonard of Sunnymount, Nth Qld. His height was 5 feet 10 inches, weighed 190 pounds with fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England.

Edward Ernest Leonard was wounded on the 5 April 1918 and died the same day of the wounds he received. He is buried in the British Military Cemetery, Contay. France.

HMAT Ayrshire A33 - photo courtesy Australian War Memorial
NAA: B2455
Roll of Honour Circular. Courtesy of Australian War Memorial
Northern Herald (Cairns) 8 September 1916 p3
Northern Herald, 13 June 1918 p4

Online Resources

NAA: B2455 Edward Ernest Leonard, National Archives of Australia

Photograph of the HMAT Ayrshire A33, Australian War Memorial

Queensland State Archives Immigration Records

The Northern Herald September 1916 p3

The Northern Herald 13 Jun 1918 p4

If you have a photograph or further information about this soldier you would like to share and add to his biography, please contact the Society at projects@cdfhs.org or leave a comment below. Thank you!

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