Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021
Private Leslie John Parsons was originally from Geelong, Victoria, but enlisted from Brisbane, Queensland, on 23 November 1915. He gave his age as 39 years 11 months and his occupation as shearer.
When not shearing, Leslie lived with his brother, 15999 Aubrey Reginald Parsons, and sister-in-law, Jessie May Parsons, in Adderley Street, Auburn. As both brothers were going to war, Leslie made Jessie the beneficiary of his will.
Leslie sailed on the Star of Victoria on 31 March 1916. On board he was guilty of being AWL for one day and his penalty was forfeiture of 3 days' pay.
Leslie served in the AIF for two and half years. His front-line service, with the 50th Battalion, lasted around 10 days. Parsons' record shows frequent sicknesses, crimes, relegation to Base Duties, detachment to 4th Australian Division Headquarters and, for the last six months of his service, detachment to an Employment Company.
Leslie died of disease recorded as 'Dilation of the heart and Pneumonia' on 15 April 1918. He was buried in the Longpre-les-Corps Saints British Cemetery, a cemetery located between Amiens and Abbeville.
Leslie's effects were lost when the Burunga was sunk by enemy action on its way to Australia. As his father died in 1919, his medals were mistakenly sent to his stepmother in Western Australia. The medals were recalled and sent to Auburn to his brother Aubrey, who had survived the war. Aubrey had served for six weeks at Bhasra, at the head of the Persian Gulf.
The name Parsons L J was one added to the Auburn War Memorial after unveiling day, 30 April 1922.
Leslie Parsons is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- Victory Medal
- British War Medal 1914-20
